She is also likely to be the benchmark in the bunch sprints in women's cycling in the new year. Lorena Wiebes from the SD Worx-Protime team won the first stage of the UAE Tour, a 111-kilometre flat section, well ahead of Lara Gillespie (Ireland/UAE Team ADQ) and Brit Zoe Backstedt from the German racing team Canyon-SRAM-zondacrypto. The 26-year-old Dutchwoman also took the lead in the overall standings of the four-stage tour of the United Arab Emirates. The best German on the first day of the race was Franziska Koch. The cyclist, who has been riding in the FDJ-Suez jersey since this year, crossed the finish line in 25th place, the same time as Wiebes.
Franziska Koch becomes best German
After crossing the finish line, Wiebes, who has won almost every bunch sprint in women's cycling in recent years, said: "This victory is a great start to the season. We did a good job as a team over the last ten kilometres." The winner catapulted herself to the top from behind Irish rider Gillespie. Wiebes had won three stages of the World Tour last year. According to the stage winner, the team will also be aiming for a good overall placing for her team-mate, multiple world champion Anna van der Breggen, over the next few days. The racing team wants to prepare the ride to the mountain arrival at Jebel Hafeet especially for her on stage 4.
Andreas Kublik
Editor
