Barbara Malcotti announced herself as a rider to watch in the mountains in 2025 with a statement finish atop the Jebel Hafeet climb on stage 3 of the UAE Tour Women.
The Italian climber scored her best result on the WorldTour stage, finishing fifth at the end of the 152km queen stage from Al Ain to the UAE-Oman border.
“Today is worth a victory after some pretty complicated years where I needed to find myself again,” the 24-year-old said afterward, alluding to a double elbow break that set her back in 2024. “I had to get a result for my teammates because they deserved that I complete the majestic work that they did.”
Sticking to stage winner Elisa Longo Borghini’s (UAE Team ADQ) wheel, Malcotti rode a commanding climb, riding to a rhythm and staying with the group even when Silvia Persico’s pace (UAE Team ADQ) saw other climbers jettisoned.
With Longo Borghini then striking out for victory on the steepest pitches, Malcotti joined Kimberly (Le Court) Pienaar (AG Insurance – Soudal Team) before being joined by Persico, Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco) and Antonia Niedermaier (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto). Malcotti would eventually finish the fourth rider in this chasing group but her quality was there for all to see.
“Since the beginning of the season, I know that I’m riding well,” she said having also finished top-ten in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. “I’ve learned to live the races without stress and without too many expectations and first of all I want to have fun. I had an experience that made me understand that I needed to overcome my comfort zone to get where I deserve and from there, something in my head changed.”
Malcotti could count on the support of her teammates throughout the day with Romy Kasper – her final lieutenant – delivering her on the climb in an ideal position behind Longo Borghini.
“I feel very comfortable and I have 100% confidence in them,” she said. “I know that they will leave me in the right place at the right time so I can ride much more serenely. This allows me not to waste too much energy that is useful for the final.”
Malcotti sees the result as the turning of a page.
“For me, this result is a reset,” she said. “It is only the first step but I hope it is towards much more as it gives me confidence and morale and that is what I have needed.”
Earlier in the stage, crosswind crusher Lily Williams once again displayed her skills in the wind, joining the front echelon of racers on the road back to the start town.
The UAE Tour Women concludes with a flat stage around Abu Dhabi. But don’t be fooled by the profile; winds could still impact the race, and this stage was won by a solo rider in 2024.
UAE Tour stage 3 result
1 LONGO BORGHINI Elisa – UAE Team ADQ 3:56:31
2 PERSICO Silvia – UAE Team ADQ 0:35
3 (LE COURT) PIENAAR Kimberly – AG Insurance – Soudal Team ”
4 TRINCA COLONEL Monica – Liv AlUla Jayco 0:38
5 MALCOTTI Barbara – Human Powered Health ”
6 NIEDERMAIER Antonia – CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto 0:43
7 MIERMONT Dilyxine – CERATIZIT Pro Cycling Team 1:29
8 VINKE Nienke – Team Picnic PostNL 1:30
9 STIASNY Petra – Roland 1:38
10 GARCÍA Mavi – Liv AlUla Jayco 1:50
UAE Tour general classification after stage 3
1 LONGO BORGHINI Elisa – UAE Team ADQ 10:11:29
2 PERSICO Silvia – UAE Team ADQ 2:09
3 (LE COURT) PIENAAR Kimberly – AG Insurance – Soudal Team 2:11
4 TRINCA COLONEL – Liv AlUla Jayco 2:18
5 SWINKELS Karlijn – UAE Team ADQ 3:02
6 MALCOTTI Barbara – Human Powered Health 3:10
7 NIEDERMAIER Antonia – CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto 3:15
8 AALERUD Katrine – Uno-X Mobility 3:34
9 MEIJERING Mareille – Movistar Team 3:40
10 GEORGI Pfeiffer – Team Picnic PostNL 3:42
Photos: GettySport and Human Powered Health Cycling
