PREVIEW | Women's UAE Tour 2023 stage 3 - Queen stage to Jebel Hafeet to decide overall classification
Cycling
From the 9th to the 12th of February the women's peloton sees it's newest World Tour event take place. With a lot of racing taking place in the Middle East over the month, the Women's UAE Tour will be on the schedule. Stage 3 will see the riders climb to Jebel Hafeet where the GC should be decided.
The third day of racing will be the queen stage. A pan-flat day with only 107 kilometers in distance, however the climbers will come forward towards the end. The final climb to Jebel Hafeet is 10.8 kilometers at 6.7% and is where the overall classification should be battled and have the key differences made.
Stage 3: Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium - Jebel Hafeet, 107 kilometers
Prediction Time
Pick: Elisa Longo Borghini
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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- I’d like to see the actual photo finish with the black (not white) line which they use to determine the winner. Ciccone’s photo sure does make it look questionable, but it doesn’t show the following… Which, from what I understand, it is the ‘9 o’clock’ of the wheel, crossing the black line first, which is used to determine the winner.anonymouscyclist05-10-2026
- I think Pogačar is going to have a really hard time becoming Belgian road champion. I mean, nothing seems impossible with the guy, but still. Kidding aside, this is honestly an incredible set of achievements. It's not the usual set of cycling achievements in terms of specific races, but seriously, all the championships he can, in road and TT?! And he's how young? That's really remarkable. Congratulations, Remco Evenepoel!RidesHills05-10-2026
- if you consult the second picture in ciccone's instagram post, which seems to show the actual finish line in top view, it rather looks like a ciccone win! if they do not retract their decision pro remco only, they loose the least bit of credibility they still have. you can argue about how to make racing safer, but you can't argue about a decision that completely lacks proof. they don't even share how far away from the real finish the image was taken. if they would, every 2nd semester physics bsc student would be able to simulate how many cm the delayed bike throw of ciccone would have resulted in. and we are not even talking cm or mm here! shame on the uci (is it uci or a europe specific association?) for their lack of transparancy!Ketterechts05-10-2026
- Interesting you claim Visma isn't a top 3 team anyomore yet their UCI rank is ...#3. Lidl Trek is only #5. Visma has 2 riders in the top 10, Lidl Treks top rider, Pederson is 16th. Their big Grand Tour signing, Ayuso is ranked 38th and has been a bust so far.GB05-10-2026
- Yes, it's fairer that way. A bit like Adam Bradać and Dušan Rajović in Poreć the other day, when they both were declared winners. As I said on the other thread, the uncertainty of the finish line - and the red line may not be on the right part finish line - is much more than that non-existent winning margin. But if they show the finish line here, they have to fo it everywhere and we know the problem there
Rafionain-Glas05-10-2026 - I truly appreciate the way that Ciccone in no way takes away from Evenepoel, praises him throughout, and casts no doubt on his fellow rider. That’s character. Also, he has every right to make these demands. I thought yesterday that the photo finish was clearer than it turned out to be, and now I’m amazed that they called it when there is enough doubt. Back in the day they had ties at moments like this. I wouldn’t mind seeing two European champions in the coming year, after a race that good.RidesHills05-10-2026
- From the photo it's literally a millimetre difference. The uncertainty of the finish line is considerably moreRafionain-Glas05-10-2026
- I wasn't trying to be too critical of Remco and said he just wins and is amazing - so compliments thrown in for sure too. just speaking out loud with my other comment on his demonstrations and vocalizations. yeah, don't change for sure Remco! because he is a winner. anyone that says otherwise is sorely mistaken. the first rider to win on all continents. the double olympic gold. monuments. grand tours. the first rider to have a championship at national, euro, world and olympics in TT and road. plus how many one day races, one week races, and more. he just makes me laugh - you KNOW there is always going to be something from Remco either before or after a race. many times both. and as I'm laughing and loving the drama, I have to shake my head and think put all of that into the pedals. his Jonas critique of no balls was not only funny, but IMO true of at least that stage. if Jonas had ridden, they basically would have solidified a top 3 for each of them. then it is just who is on one step. and this years tour was beyond impressive. so many times that guy was dropped, and there he is finishing top 3 for the stage. he does not give up, he is a fighter. cycling would suck without some Remcos thrown into the mix.mij05-10-2026
- All jokes aside, I agree. But being completely honest, I love Remco and the sheer chaos he brings. He totally lights up a race. His complaints over the Vuelta Stage 1 TT lighting? Electric. His anger towards Jonas’ lack of b*lls? Hilarious. Whining about a rider’s lack of support? Pure entertainment. Some of his complaints are totally fair, others are straight-up tantrums, but either way, cycling is so much more fun with him in it. You can't deny the spark he brings. It’s personalities like his that draw us to our sport. Never change, Remco.anonymouscyclist05-10-2026
- I’m waiting for when Pidcock joins this conversation regarding Amstel Gold… his jibe in the podcast with Matt Stephens was quite telling!anonymouscyclist05-10-2026
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The UAE Tour Women Jerseys. Each design representing the accomplishment of iconic Emirati women 🙌 #UAETourWomen
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