Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto) opened the 2026 season with a solid and promising performance at the UAE Tour Women, finishing 5th overall in the general classification.
The stage race in the United Arab Emirates served as an early-season test of form for Poland’s top rider. The final outcome of the general classification was decided on the last, mountainous stage, finishing on Jebel Hafeet — a climb measuring 10.7 km with an average gradient of 6.9%.
It was there that Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney spent a long time fending off numerous attacks from Italian rider Elisa Longo Borghini of UAE Team ADQ. The Polish rider fought ambitiously on the selective climb, trying to stay in contact with her rivals and maintain her position among the leaders of the overall standings. Ultimately, Elisa Longo Borghini broke away from her competitors, proved to be the strongest on the decisive stage, and claimed victory in the general classification of the entire race.
Nevertheless, fifth place for Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney is a valuable result at the start of the season and confirms that the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto leader remains one of the key figures in the women’s peloton, ready to fight for top goals in upcoming WorldTour and ProSeries events.
