elisa longo borghini claims uae tour women 2026 with stunning jebel hafeet solo
Al Ain, zondag, 8 februari 2026.
elisa longo borghini seized the uae tour women 2026 title in dramatic fashion. on the final stage, she launched a devastating solo attack 2.7 kilometers from the summit of jebel hafeet. breaking away from rivals including kasia niewiadoma, she climbed alone to victory. this bold move overturned the general classification, crowning her the overall winner. longo borghini’s triumph marks her third career victory on this demanding ascent. backed by flawless support from uae team adq, her performance showcased precision, power and nerves of steel. the win solidifies her status among the elite climbers in women’s cycling.
decisive attack on jebel hafeet secures overall victory
Elisa Longo Borghini won the 2026 UAE Tour Women by claiming the fourth and final stage, which concluded atop Jebel Hafeet near Al Ain [1]. With a solo attack launched 2.7 kilometers from the summit finish, she broke away from a leading group that included Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and Monica Trinca Colonel [1]. This aggressive move not only earned her the stage win but also overturned the general classification standings, elevating her to the top step of the final podium [2]. Her performance marked her third career victory on this challenging climb [1].
team strategy and control throughout the finale
UAE Team ADQ executed a dominant tactical display during the decisive climb of Jebel Hafeet [2]. Riders Karlijn Swinkels and Silvia Persico set a punishing pace on the lower slopes, effectively neutralizing potential threats and protecting their leader [1]. By controlling the tempo, they prevented early breakaways and ensured Longo Borghini remained well-positioned for her final assault [2]. The team’s coordination was instrumental in isolating key rivals such as Niewiadoma-Phinney before the Italian champion made her winning move [1].
withdrawals shape gc battle ahead of final stage
Two major general classification contenders withdrew before the final stage due to illness [3]. Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) pulled out on the morning of stage four, citing a throat infection [3]. She joined Marlen Reusser (Movistar), who had already abandoned the race after sustaining injuries from a crash on stage two [3]. Their absences significantly altered the dynamics of the GC contest, clearing part of the field for Longo Borghini’s decisive action on Jebel Hafeet [1][3].
final podium and secondary classifications settled
Monica Trinca Colonel finished second on the stage and secured the same position in the final general classification [1]. Femke de Vries completed the podium in third place overall, matching her stage result [1]. Other jerseys were awarded earlier in the day: Lara Gillespie won the final intermediate sprint, helping teammate Sara Luccon clinch the black jersey [1]; Eleonora Ciabocco claimed the white jersey for best U23 rider, while Lorena Wiebes took home the green jersey despite losing the red jersey on the climb [1].
additional outcomes and team achievements
Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto emerged victorious in the team classification, outperforming other squads across the four stages [1]. The final stage covered 156 kilometers from Al Ain Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium to the peak of Jebel Hafeet, ascending to 1,042 meters above sea level [1]. While the opening three stages favored sprinters and kept the GC tightly contested, it was the mountainous fourth stage that ultimately determined the winner [2]. UAE Team ADQ celebrated a comprehensive victory with stage, overall, and supporting jersey successes [1][2].