Abu Dhabi: The UAE Team ADQ, the UAE’s first professional women’s cycling team, will compete alongside 20 international teams in the first Women’s UAE Tour.
The inaugural UAE Women’s Tour will take place from February 9–12, ahead of the fifth edition of the UAE Men’s Tour, which will take place from February 20–26.
The Tour’s total distance is 468 km and comprises four stages, which are Stage 1 at Port Rashid to Dubai Harbour (109 KM), Stage 2 at Al Dhafra Castle to Al Mirfa (133 KM), Stage 3 at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium to Jebel Hafeet (107 KM), and Stage 4 at Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy to Abu Dhabi Breakwater (119 KM).
Ms. Melissa Moncada, Head of the UAE Team ADQ, shared that “we are thrilled to be part of the first women’s UAE Tour next month. Additionally, it is a unique opportunity for women in the country to support the female team representing our nation and see them competing in a World Tour standard race on our home soil.”
“Our mission, as a professional team, is not only limited to achieving the best results at international cycling events but also includes nurturing a passion for cycling and sports among women in the UAE. We have launched Women Moving Forward by UAE Team ADQ to grow this collaborative journey. Through this platform, we are providing women with innovative and professional sports tools that empower them to reach their full potential, starting with sport,” Ms. Moncada added.
As part of its tour, UAE Team ADQ launched its UAE-centric platform, Women Moving Forward by UAE Team ADQ. Under this unique initiative, UAE Team ADQ’s trainers and experts work with governmental, corporate, and other stakeholders to provide professional cycling capacity building for women through various professional workshops, events, and team coaching.
Earlier, in December 2022, UAE Team ADQ organised its training camp ahead of the 2023 UCI World Tour in Tuscany, Italy.