{"id":632108,"date":"2026-04-26T13:47:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T13:47:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/632108\/"},"modified":"2026-04-26T13:47:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T13:47:15","slug":"liege-bastogne-liege-femmes-live-the-lone-breakaway-rider-has-been-caught","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/632108\/","title":{"rendered":"Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge Femmes LIVE: The lone breakaway rider has been caught"},"content":{"rendered":"

Refresh <\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:46:11.328Z<\/p>\n

We’re over the top of the Haute-Lev\u00e9e and Kopecky is still just off the back of the peloton, it doesn’t look a capitulation.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:41:33.288Z<\/p>\n

No sooner is Gerritse caught than her SD Worx team mate, Lotte Kopecky is gapped by the bunch. Again, like Van der Breggen earlier it could be that’s she’s heading back to the team car.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:37:54.582Z<\/p>\n

Gerritse is caught on the ascent of the C\u00f4te de la Haute-Lev\u00e9e. A group of nine dropped riders are out of it now, more than three minutes back.<\/p>\n

80km to go <\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:34:51.164Z<\/p>\n

The C\u00f4te de la Haute-Lev\u00e9e is longer, but still tough, 2.2km and an average of 7.5% gradient. Gerritse’s advantage its down to just five seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:32:43.105Z<\/p>\n

A great performance by Gerritse sees her crest the Stockeau still leading. She’ll drop back into Stavelot now then head straight onto the C\u00f4te de la Haute-Lev\u00e9e.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:30:32.666Z<\/p>\n

Onto the C\u00f4te de Stockeau, just 1km but at an average of a brutal 12.5%. Whatever happens, those who climb well and have hopes of winning, will try to numb the legs of their rivals.
Gerriste has only 25 seconds!<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:28:59.369Z<\/p>\n

Gerritse is working very hard now, Bego and Dickson have dropped to 50 seconds and into the clutches of the peloton.
Into Stavelot now.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:26:27.608Z<\/p>\n

The Stockeau is like a diversion off the main route north. In Stavelot, the riders will swing right onto the climb, on which there is a stature of the legend Eddy Merckx.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:22:54.066Z<\/p>\n

We’re over the top now, heading towards the town of Stavelot and the brutal C\u00f4te de Stockeau. Gerritse leads the two chasers by 45 seconds, with the bunch close behind them.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:21:22.063Z<\/p>\n

With Gerritse still leading the main peloton by 1.20, two riders have set off in pursuit, Julie Bego (Cofidis) and Lauren Dickson (FDJ United-SUEZ) are 55 sends behind the lead.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:18:02.215Z<\/p>\n

And even on the early slopes Gerristse’s advantage is cut, she leads by only 1.45, with one kilometre of the climb remaining.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:15:42.156Z<\/p>\n

Here we go then. the C\u00f4te de Wanne is 3.6% cat 5% average gradient. Remember it’s not this climb is isolation, but the constant climbing from now until the end of the race.<\/p>\n

90km to go<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:12:08.283Z<\/p>\n

These three ascents may not produce the winning selection, they may not catch Gerritse here, but some riders are almost certain to be dropped, their race over.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:10:34.295Z<\/p>\n

We’ll reach the C\u00f4te de Wanne soon, which is the preface to three climbs within 10km. After Wanne we have the very tough C\u00f4te de Stockeau the C\u00f4te de Haute Lev\u00e9e.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T13:06:03.066Z<\/p>\n

It might be well over a year away yet, but details of the opening three stages of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift were announced this week.<\/p>\n

Expect a team time trial and some epic climbing. <\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Tour\n<\/p>\n

Cat Ferguson (Movistar), Flora Perkins ) Fenix Premier Tech and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift race director, Marion Rousse (Image credit: Charlie Forgham-Bailey\/SWpix.com)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:59:45.685Z<\/p>\n

With Gerritse’s lead now established the race has settled a little. The Dutch rider leads by 2.20.<\/p>\n

100km to go<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:58:23.813Z<\/p>\n

Gerritse has built a substantial lead of 2.10 now, by far and away the biggest lead of the race so far.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Femke\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:50:31.099Z<\/p>\n

Femke Gerritse has been allowed her head and now leads by 1.20.
We have a long period of descending before we reach the C\u00f4te de Wanne.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:48:57.771Z
\n120km<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:47:10.609Z<\/p>\n

Luckily for SD Worx, Van der Breggen is back in the peloton. It may well be that she had a mechanical issue or went back to the car for some other reason.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:44:56.940Z<\/p>\n

Van der Breggen being out the back is big news, she’s won twice and would have started the day as one of SD Worx’s leaders, though Lotte Kopecky and Mischa Bredewold can also do very well.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:43:23.328Z<\/p>\n

More attacks.
This time Femke Gerritse (SD Worx-Protime) is on the move, leading by 30 seconds. Over the last few races SD Worx have been very active, even if they’ve been unable to bag a big win.
Their problem is that Anna van der Breggen is not currently in the chasing peloton, though we don’t know why.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:39:41.892Z<\/p>\n

The riders won’t have the opportunity to look, but there are few more beautiful places than the Ardennes on a fine spring day.<\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

The peloton during the 10th Liege – Bastogne – Liege Femmes 2026. (Photo by Luc Claessen\/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:36:41.533Z<\/p>\n

It’s a fair old distance until the next classified climb. The C\u00f4te de Wanne comes with 88km to go and signals the start of a series of ascents which define the race.<\/p>\n

120km to go<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:33:55.423Z<\/p>\n

There’s a change of kit for AG Insurance-Soudal today, the Belgian squad are riding in support of Donate Plasma, so look out for a slightly different look today. At least they’ll be easy to spot while riding for a good cause!<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:30:28.623Z<\/p>\n

All change! Again.
The group of five leaders have been caught as we climb the gentle ascent towards the highest point of the race.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:26:23.768Z<\/p>\n

We’re over the climb now, Chabbey, De Vries, Markus, Vinke and Casasola have 30 seconds on the peloton, while the dropped riders we mentioned earlier are a further 90 seconds back.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:24:11.135Z<\/p>\n

Even with more that 125km to go we have a dangerous solo attacker, with Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-SUEZ) up the road.
She’s with Femke de Vries (Visma-Lease a Bike), Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek), Nienke Vinke (SD Worx-Protime) and Sara Casasola (Fenix-Premier Tech) and the five women lead by 30 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:17:48.884Z<\/p>\n

A small group of riders have been shelled out of the peloton on this climb, they include Alison Jackson, who was on the attack earlier.
This is not a perfect race for her, but her leadership and exerience will be hugely valuable to her St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 team.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:15:56.295Z<\/p>\n

Oddly, the highest point of the race is not the top one of the classified climbs, it comes not long after this climb, after 42.7km at the Baraque de Fraiture, and it’s 649m above sea level.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:14:40.519Z<\/p>\n

Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! Find out more.<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:12:23.696Z<\/p>\n

We’re onto the first classified climb of the day, the Col de Haussire. It’s 3.9km in length at an average of 6.8% gradient.<\/p>\n

130km to go<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:07:16.064Z<\/p>\n

It seems the peloton isn’t allowing anyone to get away, Franz is now caught. It might not be the favourites’ teams bringing the attacks back, it could be other teams who are also interested in getting away who bring each move back but then can’t capitalise.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:05:05.039Z<\/p>\n

Early in the race’s history it was won solo more often than not, but as talent in the peloton has become deeper we’ve seen more small groups. 2024 was decided by a group of six, the now retired Grace Brown taking the win.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:03:01.221Z<\/p>\n

And we have a solo leader! This time St Michel have Heidi Franz up the road, though the American rider only has a few seconds on the bunch.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T12:00:29.798Z<\/p>\n

We’ve had a crash in the peloton with World Champion, Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly) caught up. Everyone involved is up and riding though.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:59:00.877Z<\/p>\n

At 156km, this year’s race is the longest of all 10 editions. The first edition in 2017 was only 135.5km, but the distance has crept up over the years.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:56:13.538Z<\/p>\n

And they’re caught again. They’ve been flying in these opening kilometres, with the average speed upwards of 44km\/h.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:53:47.061Z<\/p>\n

We’ve now got five riders up the road, though the bunch are chasing hard. This could be the one though.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:52:48.567Z<\/p>\n

The peloton is all together, despite the attacks from St Michel. Here, Emilie Morier tries her luck.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Emilie\n<\/p>\n

Emilie Morier (St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93) during the 10th Liege – Bastogne – Liege Femmes 2026. (Photo by Luc Claessen\/Getty Image (Image credit: Getty Images)
\n145km to go<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:48:27.577Z<\/p>\n

Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-Sram-zondacrypto) is certainly one of the riders to watch in Li\u00e8ge today. After missing some races folioing her horror crash at Milan-Sanremo, the Polish champion was second at Amstel Gold Race and fourth at Wednesday’s La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne.<\/p>\n

The Polish champion is optimistic, despite that crash.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Kasia\n<\/p>\n

Kasia Niweiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-Sram-zondacrypto) is one of the favourites for Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge Femmes. (Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:45:39.826Z<\/p>\n

Canadian champion, Alison Jackson (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93) has also tired her luck but is caught too. St Michel are certainly up for the fight today.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:41:58.986Z<\/p>\n

It’s been an aggressive start and two riders, one for St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 and one Cofidis briefly escaped, though they’ve now been brought back.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:40:31.139Z<\/p>\n

Without last year’s winner, Kim Le Court, who is out injured following a crash at the Tour of Flanders, AG Insurance-Soudal have had to reassess their Ardennes campaign.<\/p>\n

“We want to show our resilience,” said sports director, Jolien D’hoore.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"2025\n<\/p>\n

Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) wins the 2025 Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge Femmes (Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:37:06.639Z<\/p>\n

Unlike the earlier Classics in the year, today’s climbs are longer, but also steep, adding to the challenge. The first of those 10 climbs is the Col Haussire, which comes after 28.9km and, at 3.9km at 6.8% gradient, certainly gives a taste of what’s to come.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:34:03.126Z<\/p>\n

The flag has dropped and we’re racing! You might think Belgium is flat, but this is the hilliest of all the Classics, with 2,700m of vertical ascent and 10 classified climbs over the 156km.<\/p>\n

156km to go<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:31:15.951Z<\/p>\n

It’s a beautiful, sunny day in southern Belgium today, with high temperatures of about 18\u00ba and what wind there is blows from the East, though at about 10km\/h it’ll have little or no effect on the race.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:28:47.642Z<\/p>\n

And we’re off for a short, 4.8km neutralised section, heading north and out of town where the racing proper kicks off.<\/p>\n

\n

\"FDJ\n<\/p>\n

Demi Vollering (DJ United-SUEZ) waves to the crowds at the sign on for the 10th Liege – Bastogne – Liege Femmes 2026. (Photo by Luc Claessen\/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:24:14.603Z<\/p>\n

Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! Find out more.<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:22:08.310Z<\/p>\n

While the men’s race is know as La Doyenne, and is the oldest Classic on the calendar, the women’s Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge is far from old, indeed, this is only the 10th edition.
That doesn’t prevent it being important, tough or hard-fought, like the other Classics, and we can expect a great race to be run over today’s 156km route.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:18:09.070Z<\/p>\n

Two women have dominated the race over the years, with Annemiek van Vleuten and Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) both winning twice and finishing on the podium twice.
Anna van der Breggen (SD-Worx-Protime) also has two wins<\/p>\n

But can anyone beat Vollering?<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Lotte\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:13:01.631Z<\/p>\n

As the last of the Spring Classics, Li\u00e8ge is the final and most prestigious of the three so-called Ardennes Classics, and last year was a cracker.<\/p>\n

Kim Le Court winning in a four-woman sprint.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Mauritius'\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:05:03.849Z<\/p>\n

Winning Amstel Gold Race last weekend and finishing third at La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne on Wednesday, Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ) is flying!<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T11:02:33.163Z<\/p>\n

Before we crack on with today’s race, let’s take a look at what happened earlier this week.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday Demi Vollering won La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne with a superlative finish on the Mur de Huy.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Vollering\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T10:54:27.152Z<\/p>\n

Today’s race is slightly mis-named, starting not in Li\u00e8ge, but way down in the south of Belgium, close to the Luxembourg border, in Bastogne. Whatever, the route takes us north through the Ardennes forest, to finish in Li\u00e8ge.<\/p>\n

2026-04-26T10:50:40.273Z<\/p>\n

We roll out for a short neutralised section at 13:25 local time, but teams are already signing on at the start. Here, Laboral Kutxa-Fundaci\u00f3n Euskadi are being presented, they’re likely to be riding for former Spanish champion, Usoa Ostolaza.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Team\n<\/p>\n

Team Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi sign on prior to the 10th Liege – Bastogne – Liege Femmes 2026. (Photo by Luc Claessen\/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Good afternoon for another late start and the last of the Spring Classics, Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge.<\/p>\n

Please follow our community guidelines<\/a>.” data-join-the-conversation-text=”Join the Conversation”><\/p>\n

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