Veenhoven sprints to strong finish in third stage of UAE Tour Women

# Veenhoven Shines in Thrilling Third Stage of UAE Tour Women

In an exhilarating showdown during the third stage of the UAE Tour Women, young sprinter Nienke Veenhoven showcased her talent, finishing in fourth place amid a fierce bunch sprint. The day’s proceedings indicated early on that teams were gearing up for a sprint finish, thanks in part to the strong control by the peloton represented by a yellow-and-black formation, effectively sidelining any breakaway attempts.

As the race progressed, riders including Margaux Vigié pushed aggressively at the front. The bustling streets of Abu Dhabi set the scene for a dramatic final kilometer, where the 21-year-old Veenhoven managed to secure a prime position before unleashing her sprint.

Reflecting on her experience, Veenhoven stated, “I’m happy with the result. It was a chaotic finale. The day started calmly, but as in the past few days, the final kilometers were hectic once again. Our team rode a strong race, but unfortunately we lost contact with each other in the closing kilometers. I ended up in the wind a little too early, but I’m happy with the result.”

This performance marks a notable step forward for Veenhoven, who found her footing in the competition and achieved her first podium of the season in the previous stage. She expressed optimism about the team’s progress, saying, “Where the first day didn’t go so well, we managed to regroup as a team. We kept working hard, and I’m pleased that yesterday and today we delivered two solid results. Hopefully, we can finish the week on a high note tomorrow.”

**Stage 3 Results:**
1. Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx – Protime) – 2:48:37
2. Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) – +00:00:00
3. Amalie Dideriksen (Cofidis Women Team) – +00:00:00
4. Nienke Veenhoven (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – +00:00:00

**Overall Rankings (Top Five):**
1. Lorena Wiebes – 8:53:08
2. Lara Gillespie – +00:00:18
3. Zoe Bäckstedt – +00:00:23
4. Nienke Veenhoven – +00:00:26
5. Femke de Vries – +00:00:27

As the competition edges toward its conclusion, all eyes will be on Veenhoven and her team as they strive for a compelling finish in the final stage.