A week and a half before the men ride their tour through the desert state, the women are guests in the Emirates. From 8 to 11 February, they will take part in the only race in the Middle East that - alongside the finals of the Esports World Championship in Abu Dhabi- can be found in their UCI calendar.
Elisa Longo Borghini was the first-time winner. The 32-year-old Italian from the Lidl-Trek team wants to defend her title, but will be facing stiff competition from her own camp in Gaia Realini. Ricarda Bauernfeind (Canyon//SRAM Racing), a German trump card in the battle for overall victory, is also planning to take part. The sprinters' faction, although three potential stage wins beckon, have not yet dared to break cover in their race planning. Last year, Charlotte Kool (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) and Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx) decided the sprints between themselves.
UAE Tour Women 2024 - the route at a glance
The UAE Tour 2024 doesn't have too many changes compared to the premiere. At 468 kilometres, the tour is exactly the same length as last year. The course is roughly based on the men's competition.
Stage 1 | Thursday, 8 February | Dubai Miracle Garden - Dubai Harbour | 122 kilometres
As in the previous year, the tour begins in Dubai. A city tour is on the programme for the riders, with a detour to Flamingo Lake south of the city. As well as being the highest point of the day at 92 metres above sea level, this is also the location of the first intermediate sprint. Then it's back to the city centre. The race ends at the harbour of the metropolis, within sight of the man-made Palm Island, exactly where the finish line of the men's stage 4 is located.
Stage 2 | Friday, 9 February | Al Mirfa - Madinat Zayed | 113 kilometres
Stage 2 starts in Al Mirfa, also located directly on the Persian Gulf to the south-west of Abu Dhabi. It ended there last year. This time, however, it leads inland. It is more than 60 kilometres across the desert. It is not unusual for the wind to be up to mischief there. If it really blows, there could be a lot of sand on the route as well as wind staggering. A bunch sprint in Madinat Zayed - where the men start their tour - is therefore not a given. However, there are no topographical obstacles here either.
Stage 3 | Saturday, 10 February | Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet | 128 kilometres
For the third stage, the entourage transfers to Al Ain. Close to the border with Oman, the stage to Jebel Hafeet starts there as in 2023. After around 116 kilometres, partly through desert landscape again, the foot of the only mountain is reached. Just under 800 metres in altitude have to be covered over the remaining 12 kilometres. The average gradient is eight to nine per cent, with the last three kilometres, which are interrupted by a short, downhill section, being somewhat steeper. Last year, Longo Borghini was the first to reach the summit and secured overall victory.
Stage 4 | Sunday, 11 February | Abu Dhabi Louvre - Abu Dhabi Breakwater | 105 kilometres
As in the previous year, the tour will conclude with a section through Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. As in the previous year, the destination of the city tour is the Breakwater viewpoint. The start is at the Louvre. This means that the start and finish are exactly the same as for the men. A bunch sprint is basically unavoidable.
