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Follow us on GoogleThe spring classics are done. While the men turn their attention to the Giro d'Italia, the women's peloton heads to north-west Spain for La Vuelta Femenina. Over seven stages, a successor to Demi Vollering will be crowned. IDL Pro Cycling brings you everything you need to know.
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A brief history of La Vuelta Femenina
La Vuelta Femenina was born in 2015 as a one-day race. It stayed in that format until 2017, before expanding to two stages — a time trial and a criterium. A road stage was added in 2020, another in 2021, and by 2022 the race had grown to five stages. From 2023, it moved to a dedicated May slot on the calendar and extended to seven stages. That became eight in 2024, then back to seven in 2025. This year: seven stages again.
The last two editions belonged to Vollering. Before her, Annemiek van Vleuten won three in a row from 2021 to 2023. Ellen van Dijk (2018) and Jolien D'hoore (2016, 2017) show this race is one that is often dominated by Dutch riders. Will the trend continue in 2026?
Recent winners La Vuelta Femenina
2026 Paul Blasi
2025 Demi Vollering
2024 Demi Vollering2025 Demi Vollering
2023 Annemiek van Vleuten
2022 Annemiek van Vleuten
2021 Annemiek van Vleuten
2020 Lisa Brennauer
2019 Lisa Brennauer
2018 Ellen van Dijk
2017 Jolien D'hoore
2016 Jolien D'hoore
La Vuelta Femenina 2026: Stages, favourites and start times
Stage 1, Sunday, May 3: Marín - Salvaterra de Miño (113.9 km)
The race starts in Marín, just north of Vigo. Two third-category climbs feature along the way, though the day is rolling throughout. After 113.9 km, the riders arrive in Salvaterra de Miño for an uphill sprint finish.
Favorites
Marianne Vos (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Marianne Vos (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)
Letizia Paternoster (Liv AlUla Jayco)
Letizia Paternoster (Liv AlUla Jayco)
Times
Start: 11:35 a.m.
Finish: around 2:30 p.m.
Start: 11:35 a.m.
Finish: around 2:30 p.m.
Winner:
Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly)
Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 2, Monday, May 4: Lobios - San Cibrao das Viñas (109.8 km)
No categorised climbs, but the road is never flat. The route rises from the very start in Lobios, and the finale has bite: a two-kilometre ramp at 5.5% ends just before the final kilometre, which is flat.
Favorites
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)
Marianne Vos (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Liane Lippert (Movistar)
Marianne Vos (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Liane Lippert (Movistar)
Times
Start: 2:17 p.m.
Finish: around 5:15 p.m.
Start: 2:17 p.m.
Finish: around 5:15 p.m.
Winner:
Shari Bossuyt (AG Insurance - Soudal)
Shari Bossuyt (AG Insurance - Soudal)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 3, Tuesday, May 5: Padrón - A Coruña (121.2 km)
The riders head north to A Coruña, where a tricky finale awaits. The route is hilly without being genuinely mountainous. Short, sharp climbs in the finale could invite attacks.
Favorites
Marianne Vos (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)
Letizia Paternoster (Liv AlUla Jayco)
Marianne Vos (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)
Letizia Paternoster (Liv AlUla Jayco)
Times
Start: 2:04 p.m.
Finish: around 5:15 p.m.
Start: 2:04 p.m.
Finish: around 5:15 p.m.
Winner:
Cédrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly)
Cédrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 4, Wednesday, May 6: Monforte de Lemos - Antas de Ulla (115.6 km)
Two more third-category climbs, and the usual relentless Galician up-and-down. The final kilometre rises slightly to the finish. Look out for the Classics specialists to do well on Wednesday afternoon.
Favorites
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)
Marianne Vos (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Liane Lippert (Movistar)
Marianne Vos (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Liane Lippert (Movistar)
Times
Start: 2:18 p.m.
Finish: 5:15 p.m.
Start: 2:18 p.m.
Finish: 5:15 p.m.
Winner:
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 5, Thursday, May 7: León - Astorga (119.6 km)
The riders spend much of the day on a plateau. By Galician standards, the climbing is minimal, and the finish is almost entirely flat — except for a slight rise in the final 300 metres. Timing will be everything.
Favorites
Marianne Vos (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)
Agnieszka Skalniak-Sókja (Canyon//SRAM Sundacrypto)
Marianne Vos (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)
Agnieszka Skalniak-Sókja (Canyon//SRAM Sundacrypto)
Times
Start: 2:16 p.m.
Finish: around 5:15 p.m.
Start: 2:16 p.m.
Finish: around 5:15 p.m.
Winner:
Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime)
Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 6, Friday, May 8: Gijón - Les Praeres. Nava (106.5 km)
The GC contenders have had to wait, but Friday finally delivers. The race heads south from Gijón to a summit finish at Les Praeres — not long, but brutal: just under four kilometres at an average of 12.6%.
Favorites
Juliette Berthet (FDJ-SUEZ United)
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime)
Juliette Berthet (FDJ-SUEZ United)
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime)
Times
Start: 2:53 p.m.
Finish: around 5:45 p.m.
Start: 2:53 p.m.
Finish: around 5:45 p.m.
Winner:
Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime)
Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Stage 7, Saturday, May 9: La Pola Llaviana - L'Angliru (132.9 km)
The organisers have saved the best for last. Three climbs precede the finale — then the Angliru: 12.1 km at an average of 10.3%, one of the most feared ascents in all of cycling. The entire race could be decided on this climb, so make sure to watch on Saturday lunchtime.
Favorites
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM sinacrypto)
Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime)
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM sinacrypto)
Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime)
Times
Start: 10:36 a.m.
Finish: around 2:30 p.m.
Start: 10:36 a.m.
Finish: around 2:30 p.m.
Winner:
Petra Stiasny (Human Powered Health)
Petra Stiasny (Human Powered Health)
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
La Vuelta Femenina 2026 GC Favourites
Vollering will not be on the start line in Galicia. The two-time defending champion is taking extra rest after a busy and successful spring, leaving FDJ-SUEZ United to count on Juliette Berthet — fifth overall last year. The Frenchwoman gets to race for herself, with Évita Muzic — a stage winner here in 2024 — as support.
France is well represented. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the reigning Tour de France Femmes champion, also lines up, with Femke de Vries — third at the UAE Tour — alongside her. Ferrand-Prévot has yet to win in 2026, but has put together a string of strong results. Much the same can be said of Kasia Niewiadoma, leader of Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto and 2024 Tour winner.
UAE Team ADQ have three options to consider. Mavi García looks the most likely card to play, but Paula Blasi and Karlijn Swinkels add genuine depth. The picture at SD Worx-Protime is clearer: Anna van der Breggen is the designated leader. The 35-year-old has shown excellent form through the spring and will be highly motivated on the climbs.
Urska Zigart and Sarah Gigante — riding her first race since a serious leg fracture last year — are dangerous outsiders for AG Insurance-Soudal. Liv AlUla Jayco will look to Monica Trinca Coronel, who finished second at the UAE Tour earlier this year, along with Ella Wyllie, 12th at last year's Tour.
Further down the pecking order, watch for Lore De Schepper (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Movistar's Mareille Meijer.
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
IDL Pro Cycling La Vuelta Femenina 2026 top picks
Top favorites: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto)
Outsiders: Juliette Berthet (FDJ-SUEZ United) Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ) and Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime)
Long shots: Évita Muzic (FDJ-SUEZ United), Femke de Vries (Visma | Lease a Bike), Urska Zigart (AG Insurance-Soudal), Monica Trinca Coronel (Liv AlUla Jayco) and Mareille Meijer (Movistar)
Outsiders: Juliette Berthet (FDJ-SUEZ United) Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ) and Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime)
Long shots: Évita Muzic (FDJ-SUEZ United), Femke de Vries (Visma | Lease a Bike), Urska Zigart (AG Insurance-Soudal), Monica Trinca Coronel (Liv AlUla Jayco) and Mareille Meijer (Movistar)
How to watch La Vuelta Femenina 2026 on TV?
Below you can find where to watchLa Vuelta Femenina on TV in English:
- United Kingdom - HBO Max now carries all of the UK cycling coverage.
- USA - You will need a subscription to Peacock to watch the racing in the USA.
- Canada - FloBikes carries the stream for Canadian fans. Again you will need a subscription
- Australia -Australian fans can watch both the men's and women's races for free on SBS on Demand
- In Europe, viewers can catch all the action on Eurosport
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Latest Comments
- No explanation after 15 years feels a bit thin. The budget pressure may be unrelated, but it’s hard not to wonder if all these changes are connected.samanthak02-11-2026
- I’m still learning how team directors work—does the head sports director decide race tactics, or is that mainly down to the riders and the person in the team car?velodromevirtuoso102-11-2026
- A proper changing of the guard at EF, especially with Carapaz going too. Hope they don’t lose the team identity in the reshuffle.cadencekingm02-11-2026
- White coming back just before Wegelius leaves makes the timing look significant, even if EF haven’t said there’s a connection. Interested to see who gets the head DS role.raceready702-11-2026
- Fifteen years is a huge stint in modern cycling. Wegelius’ knowledge of EF and its riders will be hard to replace.robert6502-11-2026
- Checking out the European course beforehand is smart. Hope she enjoys racing at home, whatever the result.jennifer1902-11-2026
- How does the starting order get decided in cyclocross? Eighth sounds impressive if she had to work her way through the whole field.cadencekingm02-11-2026
- The article’s timeline seems a bit muddled: it says this was the 2026 Koppenbergcross, then calls it her final race of 2025–Still, her progress is encouraging.pedalpowe2902-11-2026
- It’s lovely to see her smiling and thanking the fans. Taking things week by week sounds like the right approach after such a difficult year.patriciaw02-11-2026
- Eighth after starting on the back row at the Koppenberg is a strong ride. Good to see Fem building race rhythm without the pressure of chasing victories.tourdeforce902-11-2026