{"id":242754,"date":"2026-05-10T21:35:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T21:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/10\/la-vuelta-femenina-conclusions-a-new-generation-shines-cyclings-new-swiss-army-knife-and-attacking-pays-off\/"},"modified":"2026-05-10T21:35:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T21:35:33","slug":"la-vuelta-femenina-conclusions-a-new-generation-shines-cyclings-new-swiss-army-knife-and-attacking-pays-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/10\/la-vuelta-femenina-conclusions-a-new-generation-shines-cyclings-new-swiss-army-knife-and-attacking-pays-off\/","title":{"rendered":"La Vuelta Femenina conclusions \u2013 A new generation shines, cycling&#8217;s new Swiss Army knife, and attacking pays off"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p id=\"elk-f08f3308-686e-40d7-8a06-c7f73fc260ea\">The seven-day <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/la-vuelta-femenina\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/la-vuelta-femenina\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/la-vuelta-femenina\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">La Vuelta Femenina<\/a>, the first Grand Tour of the season, saw <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/paula-blasi\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/paula-blasi\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/paula-blasi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Paula Blasi<\/a> (UAE Team ADQ) become the first Spanish winner of the race as a young generation of riders took charge.<\/p>\n<p>She raced to her overall triumph atop the Alto de L&#8217;Angliru, the toughest climb in professional cycling, raced for the first time as a milestone addition to the Spanish race.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-f08f3308-686e-40d7-8a06-c7f73fc260ea-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But La Vuelta offered much more beyond final-day intrigue as the peloton battled their way up the brutal slopes of the fearsome Asturian mountain. The race was seven days long, packed into Northern Spain and running from the hills and flatter lands of Galicia to the Angliru, so there was plenty to talk about.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold&#10;        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Here are our five conclusions from the 2026 La Vuelta Femenina.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-e175d8e9-505f-40da-a08e-84c72705ff54\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a-changing-of-the-guard-3\">A changing of the guard<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-bcbf3f54-9c3f-45c4-8b96-e77865d33123\">I am now in my ninth season of covering women\u2019s road cycling, and for much of that time, races saw the same main protagonists. Now and then, a new rider would move into the top echelon of the sport, but there was no generational break as the \u2018old\u2019 names still dominated the results sheets and race reports.<\/p>\n<p>Apparently, women\u2019s road cycling is like a ketchup bottle, and at this Vuelta Femenina, there was a flood of riders aged 20 to 25 taking centre stage and confirming their abilities to not only contend against the best in the peloton but beat the \u2018old guard\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Stage 3 winner <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/cedrine-kerbaol\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/cedrine-kerbaol\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/cedrine-kerbaol\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">C\u00e9drine Kerbaol<\/a> (EF Education-Oatly) had already established herself at the top of the sport. However, she is still only 24 years old, a month younger than her teammate <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/noemi-ruegg\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/noemi-ruegg\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/noemi-ruegg\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Noemi R\u00fcegg<\/a>, who has been extremely consistent for the past two seasons but still lacked that big victory until she won the opening stage.<\/p>\n<p>For 25-year-old <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/shari-bossuyt\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/shari-bossuyt\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/shari-bossuyt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shari Bossuyt<\/a> (AG Insurance-Soudal), <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-shari-bossuyt-wins-a-dramatic-stage-2-sprint-as-franziska-koch-takes-second-place-and-the-overall-lead\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-shari-bossuyt-wins-a-dramatic-stage-2-sprint-as-franziska-koch-takes-second-place-and-the-overall-lead\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-shari-bossuyt-wins-a-dramatic-stage-2-sprint-as-franziska-koch-takes-second-place-and-the-overall-lead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stage 2<\/a> was her first WorldTour victory in a difficult sprint, coming from behind with astonishing speed. Bossuyt\u2019s teammate Lore De Schepper, still only 20 years old, wore the white jersey for three days and finished 11th overall.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-4b566086-2c05-4728-9071-6e63e03f17dc\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1500px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.67%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6yJFLxgULNzduntn3oaT79-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6yJFLxgULNzduntn3oaT79-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6yJFLxgULNzduntn3oaT79-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6yJFLxgULNzduntn3oaT79-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6yJFLxgULNzduntn3oaT79-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6yJFLxgULNzduntn3oaT79-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Marion Bunel and Paula Blasi were two of several young riders who enjoyed a great week on the bike in Spain <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2262d133-c4c9-4402-8611-09dfb6aa844f\"><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/sarah-van-dam\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/sarah-van-dam\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/sarah-van-dam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sarah Van Dam<\/a> (Visma-Lease a Bike) assumed her team\u2019s sprint leadership after Marianne Vos crashed, and the 24-year-old Canadian showed that she is more than an outsider if a hilly race comes down to a reduced sprint.<\/p>\n<p>After four years with numerous setbacks, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/petra-stiasny\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/petra-stiasny\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/petra-stiasny\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Petra Stiasny<\/a> (Human Powered Health) finally got her breakthrough victory as the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/la-vuelta-femenina-paula-blasi-seizes-overall-victory-with-final-day-turnaround-on-alto-de-langliru-as-petra-stiasny-solos-to-stage-win\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/la-vuelta-femenina-paula-blasi-seizes-overall-victory-with-final-day-turnaround-on-alto-de-langliru-as-petra-stiasny-solos-to-stage-win\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/la-vuelta-femenina-paula-blasi-seizes-overall-victory-with-final-day-turnaround-on-alto-de-langliru-as-petra-stiasny-solos-to-stage-win\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">24-year-old minuscule climber soared up L\u2019Angliru<\/a>.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold&#10;        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/marion-bunel\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/marion-bunel\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/marion-bunel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Marion Bunel<\/a> (Visma-Lease a Bike) stayed out of trouble on the first five stages (an often underestimated skill for a GC climber) and then climbed to third place overall on the final two days.<\/p>\n<p>And last but absolutely not least, there was <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/paula-blasi\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/paula-blasi\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/paula-blasi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Paula Blasi<\/a> (UAE Team ADQ). The 23-year-old continued her meteoric rise that started three weeks ago when she took a surprise breakaway victory in the Amstel Gold Race.<\/p>\n<p>On Les Praeres, Blasi was the last rider to lose contact with Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime). While others would be overjoyed with a second place, she seemed almost disappointed not to be able to follow one of the greatest women\u2019s cyclists in history all the way to the finish.<\/p>\n<p>The following day on L\u2019Angliru, Blasi hit back, this time distancing Van der Breggen herself to win the GC. It was the final Vuelta for Blasi\u2019s teammate Mavi Garc\u00eda, and the 42-year-old, having been the torchbearer for Spanish women\u2019s cycling for so many years, can retire happy in the knowledge that Blasi is there to carry on.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-6d632af6-484f-43ca-98cb-a26340990efa\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"franziska-koch-truly-is-cycling-s-new-swiss-army-knife-3\">Franziska Koch truly is cycling\u2019s new Swiss Army knife<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-873d3c45-4aa3-4e44-8b7f-b1d9ce4ed663\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.60%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A CORUNA, SPAIN - MAY 05: Franziska Koch of Germany and Team FDJ United - SUEZ - Red Leader Jersey competes during the 12th La Vuelta Femenina 2026, Stage 3 a 121.2km stage from Padron to A Coruna \/ #UCIWWT \/ on May 05, 2026 in Padron, Spain. (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6eM4omx2jWiRM5NtxVAYN.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Paris-Roubaix champion Franziska Koch wearing the red jersey on stage 3 <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d1b14746-9c12-4725-b091-6b3d56daf812\">German rider <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/franziska-koch\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/franziska-koch\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/franziska-koch\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Franziska Koch<\/a> is perhaps the rider who epitomises this new generation best: She was an inspired signing by FDJ United-SUEZ ahead of the season and showed that time and again in the spring Classics, putting the cherry on top by <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/paris-roubaix-femmes-franziska-koch-outsprints-marianne-vos-from-three-rider-breakaway-to-claim-biggest-win-of-her-career\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/paris-roubaix-femmes-franziska-koch-outsprints-marianne-vos-from-three-rider-breakaway-to-claim-biggest-win-of-her-career\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/paris-roubaix-femmes-franziska-koch-outsprints-marianne-vos-from-three-rider-breakaway-to-claim-biggest-win-of-her-career\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">winning Paris-Roubaix<\/a>. After that stellar spring campaign, the German champion went into the Vuelta with a much bigger spotlight and arguably more pressure on her.<\/p>\n<p>The race route was in her favour as there was hardly any real flat stage (even the flattest final on stage 5 ended with a 200-metre ramp to the finish line), but going into the race, I would not have picked Koch to become one of the biggest protagonists.<\/p>\n<p>Koch finished third on stage 1, then moved up another step on stage 2 and inherited the red jersey after Noemi R\u00fcegg\u2019s crash. She defended the red jersey on stage 3 but lost it the next day, still sprinting to fifth place. On stage 5, she finished seventh. The steep finishing climbs of the last two stages are possibly the only thing Koch can\u2019t do.<\/p>\n<p>And from the very beginning, Koch and her team had a plan: Every day, they went for the intermediate sprint to collect points for the green jersey. She took the lead in the points classification after stage 2, finally putting on the green jersey after relinquishing the red jersey after stage 4. Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) leapfrogged Koch on the fifth day, but the 25-year-old did not give up, taking the fight for green all the way to the final intermediate sprint, only a few kilometres from the foot of L\u2019Angliru.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-2ef5bd22-1bdc-4a22-bdc0-cfa94f396805\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sd-worx-protime-while-no-longer-all-dominant-are-still-very-good-indeed-3\">SD Worx-Protime, while no longer all-dominant, are still very good indeed<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-83b64c67-bbb1-4b23-b602-12d429991386\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"ASTORGA, SPAIN - MAY 07: Stage winner Mischa Bredewold of Netherlands and Team SD Worx - Protime celebrates the victory of her teammate Julia Kopecky of Czech Republic after the 12th La Vuelta Femenina 2026, Stage 5 a 119.6km stage from Leon to Astorga \/ #UCIWWT \/ on May 07, 2026 in Astorga, Spain. (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8w6ZHzz2k5b72yXYsCESR.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Stage 5 winner Mischa Bredewold celebrates with her SD Worx-Protime teammates <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-8319fb36-3cd3-4355-822b-67852804bc6a\">Only a few years ago, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/road\/teams\/uci-womens-worldtour\/2026\/sd-worx-protime\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/road\/teams\/uci-womens-worldtour\/2026\/sd-worx-protime\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/road\/teams\/uci-womens-worldtour\/2026\/sd-worx-protime\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SD Worx-Protime<\/a> absolutely dominated women\u2019s road cycling to an extent that, in retrospect, sounds unbelievable. In 2023 and 2024, the team won 40 and 45 times, respectively, in Women\u2019s WorldTour races over 73 and 75 race days. Both years, they added another 13 UCI victories below the WorldTour level and a half-dozen of national championships on top.<\/p>\n<p>The team saw Demi Vollering, Marlen Reusser, and Niamh Fisher-Black leave ahead of 2025, while long-standing super-domestique Christine Majerus retired. Their 2025 season, though still very successful, was far less dominant.<\/p>\n<p>The spring of 2026 saw <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/lotte-kopecky\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/lotte-kopecky\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/lotte-kopecky\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lotte Kopecky<\/a> and Lorena Wiebes \u2018only winning Milano-Sanremo and In Flanders Fields. At the Vuelta Femenina, SD Worx-Protime showed up with strength as Kopecky, Anna van der Breggen, and Mischa Bredewold were supported by a well-rounded quartet \u2013 Femke Markus, Julia Kopeck\u00fd, Nienke Vinke, and Valentina Cavallar.<\/p>\n<p>In the first stages, the support was thrown behind Kopecky, who finished runner-up twice in three days, interrupted by <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/lotte-kopecky-relegated-fined-and-given-yellow-card-in-botched-la-vuelta-femenina-sprint\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/lotte-kopecky-relegated-fined-and-given-yellow-card-in-botched-la-vuelta-femenina-sprint\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/lotte-kopecky-relegated-fined-and-given-yellow-card-in-botched-la-vuelta-femenina-sprint\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a relegation for irregular sprinting<\/a> on stage 2. The fourth day finally brought Kopecky <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-lotte-kopecky-wins-hectic-stage-4-sprint-and-uses-bonus-points-to-claim-red-leaders-jersey\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-lotte-kopecky-wins-hectic-stage-4-sprint-and-uses-bonus-points-to-claim-red-leaders-jersey\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-lotte-kopecky-wins-hectic-stage-4-sprint-and-uses-bonus-points-to-claim-red-leaders-jersey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the sprint victory<\/a>, and to top it off, Van der Breggen made it a one-two.<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-mischa-bredewold-leads-lotte-kopecky-across-stage-5-line-as-sd-worx-protime-repeats-with-one-two-finish\/https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-mischa-bredewold-leads-lotte-kopecky-across-stage-5-line-as-sd-worx-protime-repeats-with-one-two-finish\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-mischa-bredewold-leads-lotte-kopecky-across-stage-5-line-as-sd-worx-protime-repeats-with-one-two-finish\/https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-mischa-bredewold-leads-lotte-kopecky-across-stage-5-line-as-sd-worx-protime-repeats-with-one-two-finish\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-mischa-bredewold-leads-lotte-kopecky-across-stage-5-line-as-sd-worx-protime-repeats-with-one-two-finish\/https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-mischa-bredewold-leads-lotte-kopecky-across-stage-5-line-as-sd-worx-protime-repeats-with-one-two-finish\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Stage 5 was the ultimate show of force<\/a> as Bredewold was allowed to sprint for victory herself instead of leading out Kopecky, who was content to watch the competition, finish second for another one-two, and defend the red jersey.<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-anna-van-der-breggen-routs-rivals-on-steep-slopes-of-les-praeres-for-stage-6-victory-and-moves-into-gc-lead\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-anna-van-der-breggen-routs-rivals-on-steep-slopes-of-les-praeres-for-stage-6-victory-and-moves-into-gc-lead\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-anna-van-der-breggen-routs-rivals-on-steep-slopes-of-les-praeres-for-stage-6-victory-and-moves-into-gc-lead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Van der Breggen won the stage 6 summit finish<\/a> by pushing a steady but hard pace from the start of the climb, dropping everyone and taking the red jersey. The 36-year-old could not follow the best on L\u2019Angliru but still finished the race as the overall runner-up.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, three stage victories, a GC podium, the points jersey, and the team prize is a haul that (almost) every other team would envy.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-52d6fb85-c48b-4ad3-85f5-905720e2c743\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"attacking-pays-off-not-always-but-eventually-3\">Attacking pays off \u2013 not always, but eventually<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-59801e59-ea59-4d36-b4c3-4541e6c3d22e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.60%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A CORUNA, SPAIN - MAY 05: Cedrine Kerbaol of France and Team EF Education-Oatly celebrates at finish line as stage winner during the 12th La Vuelta Femenina 2026, Stage 3 a 121.2km stage from Padron to A Coruna \/ #UCIWWT \/ on May 05, 2026 in A Coruna, Spain. (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NMWjyiaqkwTb7eh2tKzMRc.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">C\u00e9drine Kerbaol wins stage 3 in A Coru\u00f1a with a late attack <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-95d11070-c00f-43d8-9bd7-257be7f204a7\">I am always happy to see riders and teams take a race by the horns and try to make their own luck instead of sitting back and waiting to see what happens.<\/p>\n<p>They won\u2019t always succeed \u2013 in fact, more often than not, they will not succeed \u2013 but the mindset was summed up well by Lauretta Hanson (Lidl-Trek), <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hphcycling\/status\/2052063262104080613\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" data-url=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hphcycling\/status\/2052063262104080613\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\">who told her stage 4 breakaway companion<\/a> Marta Jaskulska (Human Powered Health): \u201cMaybe tomorrow, we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>They had just been reeled in less than 3km from the finish line, and Hanson did describe the outcome as \u201ca bit heartbreaking\u201d. Nonetheless, she seemed more than ready to do it all over again. When it comes down to it, a breakaway isn\u2019t about winning \u2013 it\u2019s about holding out hope, even against the odds.<\/p>\n<p>While Hanson and Jaskulska were left empty-handed, Marine Allione (Mayenne-Monbana-My Pie) made a memory for a lifetime. Having taken the two mountain sprints on the stage, she rode herself into the multi-coloured polka-dot mountain jersey, the first time her French team had held a Grand Tour classification jersey.<\/p>\n<p>And the team defended the jersey by attacking. Alice Coutinho went into the breakaway on stage 5 and won both of the day\u2019s mountain sprints to take the jersey from her teammate\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n<p>And stage 3 saw an attacking masterclass from EF Education-Oatly: The day after <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/la-vuelta-femenina-overall-leader-abandons-after-a-crash-in-final-kilometres-of-stage-2\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/la-vuelta-femenina-overall-leader-abandons-after-a-crash-in-final-kilometres-of-stage-2\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/la-vuelta-femenina-overall-leader-abandons-after-a-crash-in-final-kilometres-of-stage-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">losing Noemi R\u00fcegg in a crash<\/a> while wearing the red leader\u2019s jersey, the team threw everything at the hilly final into A Coru\u00f1a, and after an attack by Kristen Faulkner with 12km to go and a move by Alice Towers on a steep cobbled ramp, C\u00e9drine Kerbaol\u2019s counter-attack stuck, and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-solo-raid-nets-victory-on-stage-3-for-cedrine-kerbaol\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-solo-raid-nets-victory-on-stage-3-for-cedrine-kerbaol\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-solo-raid-nets-victory-on-stage-3-for-cedrine-kerbaol\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">she pulled away to win the stage<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-f6282459-3603-483e-aaef-daf03e9dc81c\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"crashes-influenced-the-race-3\">Crashes influenced the race<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-f74b9e24-94ac-4e74-b360-cb89c9e56b52\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1024px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"SAN-CIBRAO-DAS-VINAS, SPAIN - MAY 04: Eleonora Ciabocco of Italy and Team Picnic PostNL - White Best Young Rider Jersey injured after the 12th La Vuelta Femenina 2026, Stage 2 a 109.8km stage from Lobios to San Cibrao das Vinas \/ #UCIWWT \/ on May 04, 2026 in San Cibrao das Vinas, Spain. (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM-1024-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wU9x8GkhTnZxkY5MvaBprM.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Eleonora Ciabocco bears the marks of a crash on stage 2 while talking to her team after the stage <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a90f39c0-1402-4625-a6ab-5a1f87f8b6b0\">Although La Vuelta Femenina only runs for seven stages instead of three weeks like a men\u2019s Grand Tour, the same pattern is at play. The first couple of days are always hectic and nervous, and unfortunately, this often leads to crashes that end a rider\u2019s race.<\/p>\n<p>In this Vuelta, red jersey Noemi R\u00fcegg, crashing the day after <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-stage-1-noemi-ruegg-storms-uphill-sprint-to-beat-kopecky-and-koch-to-first-leaders-jersey\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-stage-1-noemi-ruegg-storms-uphill-sprint-to-beat-kopecky-and-koch-to-first-leaders-jersey\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/vuelta-femenina-stage-1-noemi-ruegg-storms-uphill-sprint-to-beat-kopecky-and-koch-to-first-leaders-jersey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">winning stage 1<\/a> and having to abandon with a shoulder fracture, was the most visible of these crashes. The same crash also claimed Eleonora Ciabocco. The Picnic-PostNL rider finished the stage wearing a torn white jersey for the best under-23 rider, but she did not start the following day.<\/p>\n<p>In stage 1, Marianne Vos was the most famous victim of a crash in a technical descent within the last 10km. The Dutchwoman had won two stages and the points jersey in three consecutive Vueltas since 2023, and she still returned to place seventh on the stage but <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/marianne-vos-abandons-vuelta-femenina-after-breaking-her-collarbone-in-a-stage-1-crash\/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwirjsDg7q6UAxV7JkQIHU5tKlIQFnoECCMQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw1WKrw5bhh26w4tMcZNjSB0\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/marianne-vos-abandons-vuelta-femenina-after-breaking-her-collarbone-in-a-stage-1-crash\/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwirjsDg7q6UAxV7JkQIHU5tKlIQFnoECCMQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw1WKrw5bhh26w4tMcZNjSB0\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\">could not take the start on stage 2 due to her injuries<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A mass crash on wet roads shaped the finish of stage 5, and when UAE Team ADQ climber Ma\u00ebva Squiban crashed out on stage 6, the race lost a serious contender for the mountain jersey. <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/la-vuelta-femenina-abandons-2026\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/la-vuelta-femenina-abandons-2026\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/la-vuelta-femenina-abandons-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Several other DNFs<\/a> were also the result of crashes, directly or indirectly.<\/p>\n<p>However, and it feels almost absurd to write this when the then-race leader literally fractured her shoulder, the riders involved were still \u2018fortunate\u2019 to escape without more serious injuries.<\/p>\n<p>Road cycling has always been dangerous, and crashes will always be a part of the sport, but more measures need to be taken to safeguard against life-changing or even life-ending injuries.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b759f52a-85d5-4f9f-a1e1-4284c900fbfa\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our La Vuelta Femenina coverage as the likes of Anna van der Breggen, Paula Blasi, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and others battle it out. Don&#8217;t miss any of the breaking news, reports, and analysis from one of the biggest women&#8217;s stage races of the season. <\/strong><\/em><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=VF26\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=VF26\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=VF26\" rel=\"noopener\"><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/la-vuelta-femenina-conclusions-a-new-generation-shines-cyclings-new-swiss-army-knife-and-attacking-pays-off\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The seven-day La Vuelta Femenina, the first Grand Tour of the season, saw Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ) become the first Spanish winner of the race as a young generation of riders took charge. She raced to her overall triumph atop the Alto de L&#8217;Angliru, the toughest climb in professional cycling, raced for the first [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":242755,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6804],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-242754","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242754","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=242754"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/242754\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/242755"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=242754"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=242754"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=242754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}