Mavi Garcia Takes Overall Podium at UAE Tour Women Despite Late-Race Crash

Even a late-race crash couldn’t stop Mavi Garcia from securing third place overall at the UAE Tour Women, in her debut race for Liv AlUla Jayco. The Spanish champion’s impressive showing on the queen stage to Jebel Hafeet set her up for success, but a crash on the final stage threatened her podium position.

The stage, initially presumed to end in a sprint finale, took an unexpected turn as a lone escapee managed to hold off the peloton. In the final meters, a crash in the bunch saw Garcia and Letizia Paternoster go down, along with several other riders. Despite this setback, Garcia avoided serious injury and maintained her third place overall in the general classification.

In the aftermath, Garcia expressed a mix of emotions, stating, “It’s a bit of a strange feeling now because on the one hand I’m happy because I’m on the podium and the team did great work for me today. On the other hand, it’s a bit of a pity because in the final 100 meters there was a crash and Letizia [Paternoster] and me crashed. We will see how Leti is, but I am ok. It’s a bit strange the situation but I’m happy.”

This result holds special significance for Garcia, marking her first Women’s WorldTour general classification result since the 2022 Giro d’Italia Women. Reflecting on her achievement, she expressed the importance of regaining trust in herself and starting the season on a positive note.

Garcia’s overall third-place finish in the 2024 UAE Tour Women places her behind Lotte Kopecky and Neve Bradbury, solidifying her entry into the new season with Liv AlUla Jayco.

[Photo: Sprint Cycling]