UAE Team ADQ under review | World-class signing marks first step toward an Emirati powerhouse in women’s cycling

UAE Team Emirates has become the dominant force in the men’s peloton. Having racked up 81 victories in 2024, they stood head and shoulders above the rest. But the Emirati squad also has a women’s team, UAE Team ADQ, which has been competing in the WorldTour peloton for three years. While matching the men’s success is a tall order, the team is taking its first steps toward greater prominence. In this article, IDLProCycling.com analyzes the team’s 2024 season and looks ahead to a promising 2025!

One-day races 2024: UAE Team ADQ

In recent years, UAE Team ADQ has relied heavily on Chiara Consonni and Silvia Persico in one-day races. Persico, who won the Flèche Brabançonne last year, failed to secure a major victory this season. However, the 27-year-old Italian still delivered notable results, including second place at Tre Valli Varesine, seventh at the Tour of Flanders, and eighth at Trofeo Alfredo Binda. She also claimed victory at the GP Morbihan.

Consonni, a track specialist, focused on flatter races, because she is the team’s sprinting star. She won the SPAR Flanders Diamond Tour and the GP della Liberazione, both 1.1-level races. Podium finishes were abundant for her as well: she was third at Gent-Wevelgem, seventh at Dwars door Vlaanderen, and fourth at Classic Brugge-De Panne. Her compatriot Eleonora Gasparrini, who is two years younger, also achieved great results, taking the win at the Grand Prix Stuttgart & Region and placing sixth at the Amstel Gold Race.

The signing of Karlijn Swinkels gave the team a major boost. The Dutch rider, who joined from Team Jumbo-Visma, was expected to excel in the classics. And she delivered: fourth at Le Samyn, sixth at Trofeo Alfredo Binda, tenth at the Tour of Flanders, fifth at Classic Lorient, and a victory at the GP Wallonia, where she beat Elisa Longo Borghini. In short, a strong year for the 26-year-old rider, who proved she could share leadership duties with Persico. Young Polish rider Dominika Wlodarczyk also showed great promise throughout the season.

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(Grand) Tours 2024: UAE Team ADQ

In terms of Grand Tour results, UAE Team ADQ isn’t a major player yet. Erica Magnaldi achieved top-15 finishes in all three Grand Tours but couldn’t break into the top ten. So are there no other climbers on the team? 21-year-old Russian climber Alena Ivanchenko showed potential with a 23rd-place finish at the Vuelta a España. She certainly has talent, and is gaining valuable experience in her third year at the top level. Wlodarczyk also climbs well but focuses more on hilly terrain.

The team’s strategy in stage races centered on hunting for stage wins and targeting smaller tours. Consonni’s stage win at the Giro d’Italia was the highlight of the year, and the team’s sole stage race victory. Other notable results included Swinkels’ third-place finish at the Tour of Burgos and sixth at the Simac Ladies Tour, Wlodarczyk’s fifth at the Tour Down Under, and Tereza Neumanova’s fifth at the Tour of Chongming Island. Nothing too exciting.

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Final grade 2024 UAE Team ADQ

The men’s Emirates team enjoyed one of the best seasons in its history, perhaps of any team, but the women’s squad fell short. The lack of Grand Tour contenders and insufficient success in one-day races left the team with few highlights. Based on these shortcomings, the (former and current) editors of IDLProCycling.com give UAE Team ADQ a score of 5.2 for the season.

Transfers 2024/2025: UAE Team ADQ

After a challenging 2024, UAE Team ADQ is making big changes as we head into 2025. The signing of Elisa Longo Borghini, one of the best riders in the world, is a game-changer. With wins at the Tour of Flanders, Flèche Brabançonne, the Giro d’Italia, and the Giro dell’Emilia under her belt, plus a third-place finish at the World Championships, she will be the new leader of the team. Longo Borghini also brings experienced Australian time trialist Brodie Chapman and rising talent Elynor Bäckstedt from her former team, Lidl-Trek.

The team has also acquired 22-year-old sprinter Sofie van Rooijen from VolkerWessels Women’s Pro Cycling. Van Rooijen placed fourth at Scheldeprijs and Nokere Koerse, and secured five wins last season. Another exciting addition is Maeva Squiban, a talented French rider who is at her best on the hills. She finished second behind Justine Ghekiere in stage seven of the Tour de France Femmes.

Impressive new signings! However, the departure of sprint star Chiara Consonni to CANYON//SRAM is pretty painful. Consonni was a reliable winner at the highest level, but Van Rooijen seems poised to fill her (Italian) shoes. The team also bids farewell to the experienced Eugenia Bujak and New Zealand's Mikayla Harvey.

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Ones to watch 2025: UAE Team ADQ

Without a doubt, all eyes will be on Longo Borghini in 2025. Her impressive signing will be the first step in turning the UAE's women's team into a cycling powerhouse, just like the men's division has been for a good while now. Borghini will lead UAE Team ADQ into a new era. She will be the team leader in both the classics and Grand Tours, and is expected to take home some fantastic results. But, of course, there is more to the team than just its new star.

Longo Borghini’s presence could elevate riders like Swinkels, Gasparrini, and Persico, who now have the opportunity to play significant roles in the spring classics. As will Wlodarczyk. The young Polish made a move into the (sub)top last year.

The departure of Consonni creates opportunities for young talent. Van Rooijen will take the lead in sprints, supported by 23-year-old Lara Gillespie, who won the Antwerp Port Epic this year and frequently showed off her exceptional speed. In Grand Tours, Longo Borghini will lead the charge, with Magnaldi providing valuable support thanks to her experience.

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(Provisional) selection UAE Team ADQ 2025

1. Safia Alsayegh
2. Alena Amialiusik
3. Elynor Bäckstedt
4. Sofia Bertizzolo
5. Brodie Chapman
6. Eleonora Gasparrini
7. Lara Gillespie
8. Elizabeth Holden
9. Alena Ivanchenko
10. Elisa Longo Borghini
11. Erica Magnaldi
12. Greta Marturano
13. Tereza Neumanova
14. Silvia Persico
15. Maeva Squiban
16. Karlijn Swinkels
17. Sofie van Rooijen
18. Dominika Wlodarczyk