European champion shows patience, cool calculation with a dominant sprint victory
Lorena Wiebes is the Rider of the Day for the final stage of the UAE Tour Women(Image credit: Getty Images)
It seems rather obvious to select the triple stage winner of the UAE Tour Women as the rider of the day, but the way Lorena Wiebes claimed the sprint victory on stage 4 at the Abu Dhabi Breakwater was a remarkable display.
After sitting patiently in the peloton as they chased first a breakaway of three, then five riders and, later in the stage, a solo escapee, Wiebes was way out of position after a narrowing in the road with two kilometres to go.
It seemed as if the Dutch rider would have to concede the sprint until her SD Worx-Protime team moved up the right side of the bunch, dropping Wiebes about 20 riders back with 1,500 metres to go.
A small move by Vittoria Guazzini (FDJ-SUEZ) allowed Wiebes a chance to move up as Human Powered Health strung out the peloton in pursuit.
Once the race went under the red kite, Wiebes was in prime position, surfing the wheels of the other lead-out trains as her team were washed away behind her.
Visma-Lease a Bike started their lead out, and Wiebes smartly latched onto their train before hitting out early in the sprint.
It was smart timing by the European champion as she got away ahead of a final bend that sparked a mass crash just behind her.
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Wiebes' sprint was so powerful that she rocketed to the line at least three bike lengths ahead of Sara Fiorin (Ceratizit) and Amalie Dideriksen (Cofidis).
It might have been her 96th career victory but watching Wiebes decimate her rivals in a bunch sprint never gets old.
Having taken three of the four stages at the UAE Tour Women, it's hard to see anyone challenging Wiebes in the sprints this season if she keeps on like this.
Rider of the Day is a small prize to congratulate the 25-year-old on her superb performances at the UAE Tour Women.
Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.
