Results UAE Tour Women Stage 4 | Elisa Longo Borghini conquers Jebel Hafeet to seal overall victory
Cycling
Elisa Longo Borghini delivered a decisive solo victory on Jebel Hafeet to win stage 4 of the UAE Tour Women and overturn the general classification, completing a controlled but ruthless takeover of the race on the final climb.
After three sprint stages had left the overall standings tightly packed behind Lorena Wiebes, the summit finish provided the only true opportunity for the climbers to reshape the race. Longo Borghini and UAE Team ADQ ensured it was used to full effect.
A controlled approach gives way to attrition
The long flat run from Al Ain was marked by steady control rather than risk. Early probing moves were repeatedly shut down, with no breakaway allowed meaningful freedom as teams with general classification ambitions kept the peloton intact.
That control tightened visibly on the approach to Green Mubazzarah. UAE Team ADQ moved decisively to the front, setting up the climb and removing any remaining ambiguity about where the race would be decided. Once the road tilted upwards, the elastic snapped quickly. Lorena Wiebes was dropped early, ending her hold on the red jersey, as the peloton rapidly thinned under sustained tempo rather than sharp attacks.
By the time the race reached the lower slopes of Jebel Hafeet, the contest had narrowed to a small group of genuine contenders, with Longo Borghini consistently positioned near the front and surrounded by team support.
Longo Borghini breaks the race on the climb
The decisive phase unfolded inside the final six kilometres. Early attacks from Monica Trinca Colonel forced reactions but not separation. Longo Borghini then began to apply pressure through repeated accelerations, gradually isolating her rivals and stripping away any remaining domestiques.
With 2.5 kilometres remaining, she made the move that settled both the stage and the general classification. Longo Borghini accelerated clear, briefly joined by Kasia Niewiadoma before pressing on alone as the gradient and accumulated fatigue did their work. Niewiadoma was eventually shed from the chase, unable to respond to the final surge.
Behind, the battle for the remaining podium places fragmented as riders rode to their own limits. Trinca Colonel opened a late gap from the chase group, while others faded under the sustained effort, but none were able to challenge the rider at the front.
Longo Borghini crested the final metres alone, claiming her second Jebel Hafeet stage victory and confirming overall success after a perfectly judged climb.
General classification decided on the summit
The solo win not only secured the stage but also delivered overall victory at the UAE Tour Women for Longo Borghini, rewarding UAE Team ADQ’s measured approach across the opening sprint stages and their total control of the race when the terrain finally suited them.
After three days shaped by speed and bonus seconds, the race was ultimately settled by climbing strength and timing. On Jebel Hafeet, Longo Borghini was unmatched.
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Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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