Pauline Ferrand-Prévot quietly moves into the Vuelta Femenina top ten in Lotte Kopecky's shadow
CyclingWednesday, 06 May 2026 at 22:11
Smiling faces after stage four of the Vuelta Femenina — almost across the board. Lotte Kopecky won the stage and took over the race lead in the process. FDJ-SUEZ leader Franziska Koch gave up the red jersey but gained time on her rivals. And Visma | Lease a Bike, with Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, also had plenty to be happy about.
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First, though, let us linger on Kopecky, because what a story she is writing in this Spanish stage race. On day one she was second to Noemi Rüegg, on day two she was relegated following a sprint incident, and on day three it was EF Education-Oatly again — this time Cédrine Kerbaol taking the win. Kopecky, second again.
That led to some frustration, but the scowl gave way on Wednesday to a broad grin. Kopecky won stage four in a sprint finish. "I had to be patient, but we kept believing we could win. Today in the finale the team was on fire and they chased everything back. I had to move from wheel to wheel and it is brilliant that we can trade all those second places in for a victory."
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Visma | Lease a Bike see Ferrand-Prévot rising
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Visma | Lease a Bike also had reason to smile. Canadian Sarah Van Dam recorded a top result for the third consecutive day. After fifth on stage two and third on stage three, Wednesday brought a sixth-place sprint finish. She now sits fifth in the overall standings. "Unfortunately I wasn't in position to contest the win today," she said in a team press release.
The feeling was good, so Van Dam can be expected to challenge again in stage five on Thursday. Then on Friday comes an uphill finish — Ferrand-Prévot's territory. The Frenchwoman came to the Vuelta to hunt for stage wins and sharpen her climbing legs, but after four days she is quietly sitting ninth in the overall standings.
Sports director Jos van Emden keeps the focus on the team's stated objective: a stage win. "Our plan was to be in the breakaway today, but unfortunately that didn't come off. Sarah was able to show herself again in the finale and Pauline made herself visible too. We are in a good position heading into the final weekend."
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Latest Comments
- Enough of this b.s. already.Just tell the world all you suspicious people what would satisfy you that he is not doping.live real time urinating and testing?.Live real time blood draws 5 seconds after a race is over?.Fecal analysis.WTF will satisfy you?
Brucegel03-05-2026 - This suspicion could be laid to rest by what? What would make all doubters happy that Pogi is clean? Just tell the world all you Frenchmen et al what you want as protocol.You will never be satisfied.That is your level of mindless groundless suspicions.Brucegel03-05-2026
- Here is a novel idea......it's a road bike race, stick to smooth asphalt courses! Cobble is like mild off-road cross riding!!!!Germanrazor14-04-2026
- To lose a race like that on a mechanical problem in this day and age is unforgivable. Why aren't all riders using the same (interchangeable) gear? It is the job of the team manager to manage and reduce risk variables. The fact that he not only didn't pick up on the potential issue but actually ok'd it is just madness.fatehasfans13-04-2026
- Rider X, y and z? Could you update?yaNzKEWL21-03-2026
- Can anyone help me understand the thinking behind the two punishments? Are the commissaires saying you get thrown out of the race for a second inadvertent disposal of a bidon (even to the delight of fans) but that as long as you can afford it you can show off your phalangeal cuticles all day long on international TV? Aking for a friend.packfiller7112-03-2026
- It's a bit embarrassing that. Isn't the main sponsor supposed to keep them at 36.5 ?tomjacques03-03-2026
- They were close to cracking a very tired Tadej that wasn't fully focused on the TdF with a team of riders focused solely on cracking Tadej. And if they cracked him, he would have still won. Tadej won't be racing the giro this year. It'll be an even easier win for him.Veganpotter09-02-2026
- Nice!Bea22-01-2026
- Those events are mental rest for him. Fun, without expectations. *Sagan lost his abilities because he gained weight and got lazy. Pogi will likely retire before that has a chance at happening.Veganpotter14-12-2025
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