Mavi Garcia survived a late crash on the final stage of the UAE Tour Women to take third place overall, in her first race for Liv AlUla Jayco.
The Spanish champion started the day on the podium after an impressive showing on the queen stage to Jebel Hafeet on Saturday. The team went into the stage aiming to keep Garcia’s third place as well as targeting another top result in the sprint.
It appeared to be a straightforward flat stage with an early break going up the road and the peloton setting a steady pace behind. However, a lone escapee managed to hold off the peloton and prevent another sprint finale.
A crash in the bunch in the final metres saw Garcia and Letizia Paternoster go down, along with several other riders. Fortunately, both riders avoided serious injury and Garcia kept her third place overall in the general classification.
For Garcia, it is her first Women’s WorldTour general classification result since the 2022 Giro d’Italia Women.
Mavi Garcia
“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 metres 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.
For me, it’s super important to get this podium because last year, I didn’t feel really well. Now, I trust myself again and I needed it. Now, I start again another season, a new season and I hope it will be better than last year. It’s the best start with the team to be on the podium overall in a WorldTour race. I only did it in the Giro d’Italia two years ago and now here.”
2024 UAE Tour Women – Overall
- Lotte Kopecky 11:16:51
- Neve Bradbury +13
- Mavi Garcia (Liv AlUla Jayco) +44
