Lorena Wiebes rushes to first win of the season in second stage of UAE Tour

Lorena Wiebes rushes to first win of the season in second stage of UAE Tour

"Happy to finish the work of my teammates"

10/02/2023

Lorena Wiebes took the first win of the season in Al Mirfa for Team SD Worx. A day after her second place in the opening stage, the European champion convincingly won the bunch sprint. "The wind played a big role today, but we were continuously where we needed to be. I was brought perfectly by our lead-out, after which I was able to finish. I am very happy with this," Wiebes said.

Linked race UAE Tour - Linked cyclists Lorena Wiebes

The second stage of the UAE Tour broke open immediately after the start. "It was very windy today. Because of the crosswinds, the peloton was immediately broken into pieces. We didn't let ourselves be surprised and were four in front. At 40km from the end, the second group came back, after which we had a continuous headwind and the last group could also return", says Wiebes.

The sprint was prepared and at ten kilometres from the end, Team SD Worx came to the head of the peloton in full force. "We were anticipating, because we knew that there would be crosswind again. From there it was full speed to the finish. We showed again that we have a good lead-out. Barbara Guarischi put me in the perfect position. We are already very well matched. I also already felt a difference from yesterday. Already at the first training camp I felt that I could really trust her in that. The whole section against the wind we were already together. She knows exactly what to do. I'm very happy with that. She set me off perfectly, so I could sprint the way I wanted to. I'm already looking forward to working with her more in the future."

The lead-out went smoothly. I felt super good today. This gives a lot of confidence for the future.

Lorena Wiebes

After which Wiebes impressively struck out and took the first win of the season with a bike length lead. "That first win always brings extra joy.  I just felt super good today and I am happy that I could finish off the work of my teammates. Tomorrow I hope to help Anna Shackley and there will be another sprint opportunity on Sunday. This gives a lot of confidence for the future."

Waarna Wiebes indrukwekkend uithaalde en met een fietslengte voorsprong de eerste zege van het seizoen pakte. “Die eerste zege doet altijd extra deugd.  Ik voelde me gewoon super goed vandaag en ik ben blij dat ik het werk van mijn ploeggenoten kon afmaken. Morgen hoop ik Anna Shackley te kunnen helpen en zondag komt er nog een sprintkans. Dit geeft heel veel vertrouwen voor de toekomst."

Thanks to her win, the European champion takes over the red jersey as leader in the general classification, as well as the green points jersey and the white jersey as best young rider. Tomorrow follows the stage over Jebel Hafeet, suited for the climbers. "I hope to be able to assist Anna Shackley as much as possible and then there will be a final sprint opportunity on Sunday, where I will again try to go full for the win," Wiebes concluded.

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