Swiss champion Noemi Rüegg swapped her pink EF Education-Oatly jersey for La Roja after winning the opening stage at the 2026 La Vuelta España Femenina on Sunday.
Rain throughout stage 1’s 113.9 kilometres led to treacherous descents, cautious moves and a late crash, but Rüegg’s blast from the peloton in the final 200 metres could not be matched across the uphill finish in Salvaterra de Miño. The two riders who reacted to her final acceleration could not make the pass, former world champion Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) finishing second and Franziska Koch (FDJ United-Suez) in third.
Rüegg earned a 10-second bonus for the victory, but was tied on time for the GC lead with Koch as the German earned a six-second bonus at an early intermediate sprint and a four-second bonus for second place. As the stage winner, the Swiss rider took the red jersey and Koch is second overall.
Article continues below
Stage 2 is a 109.8km rolling tester, with a short, steep ascent in the final kilometres before a short descent into San Cibrao das Viñas.
La Vuelta Femenina 2026 GC standings
Results powered by FirstCycling
La Vuelta Femenina 2026 classifications and jerseys
There are four main classifications with distinct jerseys at La Vuelta Femenina.
Red leader’s jersey – worn by the rider leading the overall GC standings
Green points jersey – worn by the rider who has won the most points, which are available in intermediate sprints and at the finish line
Polka dot climber’s jersey – worn by the rider who has won the most points available at the top of every classified climb
White combative jersey – Worn daily by the rider deemed to have been the most combative on the previous day
Note, there is no young rider’s classification at the Vuelta, like there is in other Grand Tours. There is a best team classification, which is denoted by red bib numbers.
Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our La Vuelta Femenina coverage as the likes of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and others battle it out. Don’t miss any of the breaking news, reports, and analysis from one of the biggest women’s stage races of the season. Find out more.