Veenhoven sprints to first podium place in second stage of UAE Tour Women

# Nienke Veenhoven Claims First Podium Finish in Stage Two of UAE Tour Women

Nienke Veenhoven secured her initial podium place of the season with a fierce performance in the UAE Tour Women, marking a key highlight as the cyclists took on a 145-kilometer course in and around Dubai. The stage began under the leadership of Femke de Vries, who donned the black jersey representing the points classification leader.

During the early phase, four riders broke away, establishing a notable seven-minute lead. However, the relentless chase by the peloton quickly erased that advantage. As the race neared its conclusion with just 30 kilometers remaining, the peloton regrouped, setting the stage for another intense bunch sprint.

With careful strategizing from her teammates, Veenhoven found herself well-positioned heading into the final stretch. She recalled the decisive moment: “I started the sprint from far back, but I had more speed than the girls in front of me.” This remarkable acceleration enabled her to clinch third place, narrowly missing out on second.

Reflecting on her performance, Veenhoven expressed satisfaction with her team’s efforts, stating, “We did well as a team. That feels better than yesterday, when we had a slightly less successful day.” She detailed the tactical elements that played a role in her success: “We had to wait a long time for something to happen. With just a few kilometers to go, we moved up to the front.” Her teammate Margaux provided vital support, guiding her through critical turns.

Looking ahead, Veenhoven remained optimistic about upcoming stages, noting, “Tomorrow will most likely be another bunch sprint… I think it will be a very different sprint than today. We’ll have to make a plan on how to approach it, but I’m confident that we can achieve another good result tomorrow.”

### Results from UAE Tour Women, Stage 2
1. **Lorena Wiebes** (Team SD Worx – Protime) – 03:38:44
2. **Chiara Consonni** (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto) – Same time
3. **Nienke Veenhoven** (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – Same time

### Overall Standings
1. **Lorena Wiebes** – 06:04:41
2. **Lara Gillespie** (UAE Team ADQ) – +00:00:14
3. **Chiara Consonni** – +00:00:14
5. **Nienke Veenhoven** – +00:00:16
6. **Femke de Vries** – +00:00:17

Veenhoven’s performance reinforced her capabilities and set a positive tone for the days ahead in the UAE Tour Women.