{"id":563936,"date":"2026-05-03T11:53:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T11:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/563936\/"},"modified":"2026-05-03T11:53:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T11:53:11","slug":"la-vuelta-femenina-stage-1-live-peloton-close-in-on-uphill-sprint-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/563936\/","title":{"rendered":"La Vuelta Femenina stage 1 LIVE: Peloton close in on uphill sprint finish"},"content":{"rendered":"

Refresh <\/p>\n

2026-05-03T11:51:38.014Z<\/p>\n

Around 15 kilometres remain to the day’s intermediate sprint. From there, the race will be high octane to the finish.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T11:48:20.262Z<\/p>\n

FDJ SUEZ begin to put the pressure on at the front of the peloton, as the rain begins to fall again in Galicia.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T11:47:57.294Z
\n30km to go <\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfc1 36 km | Etapa 1\ufe0f\u20e3 – Stage 1\ufe0f\u20e3\ud83d\udc4a \u00a1@Movistar_Team quiere guerra y demostrar que juega en casa!\u2694\ufe0f Movistar is showing the peloton who’s homerace this is!#LaVueltaFemenina pic.twitter.com\/DjThVJJfBwMay 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-05-03T11:43:21.809Z<\/p>\n

Megan Jastrab (UAE Team ADQ) has nearly made it back to the peloton after experiencing a mechanical issue.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T11:39:23.089Z
\n35km to go<\/p>\n

The bunch navigates the final significant downhill section of the day safely, and as the road flattens out, the bunch is led towards the business end of the stage by Movistar, with Visma-Lease a Bike also prominent at the front of the bunch.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T11:36:04.351Z
\n40km to go<\/p>\n

Two hours have elapsed in the stage, as the peloton winds its way towards the day’s intermediate sprint point, where the first action in the green jersey competition will unfold.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T11:33:00.855Z
\n45km to go<\/p>\n

With around 20 kilometres to go to the intermediate sprint, it’s time to consider the contenders for today’s victory.<\/p>\n

Marianne Vos is top of the list. She is a powerful sprinter and can handle uphill finishes, and she will be looking to pull on the red jersey, not for the first time in her dazzling career.<\/p>\n

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Lotte Kopecky is perhaps her primary challenger. The SD Worx-ProTime rider has returned to something like her best form this spring, with a victory at Milano-Sanremo her best result so far.<\/p>\n

EF Education-EasyPost’s powerful all-round Noemi R\u00fcegg can never be counted out. The Swiss rider has made a strong start to the season once again and will be in the mix.<\/p>\n

For UAE Team ADQ, the best hope for victory is probably Karlijn Swinkels. The Dutch woman is fast at the finish and also capable of launching a late move.<\/p>\n

Liane Lippert (Movistar) is one of the best puncheuses in the peloton, but today may not be quite hard enough for her to avoid the pure speed of the likes of Vos and Kopecky. For Liv-AlUla-Jayco, Letizia Paternoster will hope to be in amongst it; the Italian wore the red jersey last year. For FDJ SUEZ, Paris-Roubaix winner Franzi Koch can’t be excluded from consideration; like Swinkels she might be the type of rider who can go from a long way out.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T11:22:33.109Z<\/p>\n

The peloton are riding tempo, saving their energy ahead of what will be a high-octane approach to the finish.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T11:19:15.433Z<\/p>\n

The tension briefly abates as teams take on fuel and the pressure at the front of the bunch calms.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T11:15:50.013Z
\n50km to go<\/p>\n

EF Education-Oatly currently ride at the head of the bunch, led by American national road race champion Kristen Faulkner. The American team will look to their Breton star C\u00e9drine Kerbaol in the general classification race.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T11:06:30.084Z
\n55km to go<\/p>\n

The tough pace on the climbs and the wet descent that followed has thinned out the bunch considerably.<\/p>\n

Canyon\/\/SRAM-zondacrypto, FDJ SUEZ and EF Education-Oatly are all visible at the front of the bunch, however some of the Lidl-Trek team, including their GC hope Gaia Realini, are briefly caught out at the back of the bunch. They chase back on successfully.<\/p>\n

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2026-05-03T11:01:46.179Z
\nMoolman-Pasio takes second QOM<\/p>\n

We have a battle on our hands for the QOM jersey – AG Insurance Soudal’s veteran climber Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio pips Ma\u00ebva Squiban at the summit of the second and final categorised climb of the day – the two are tied on equal points in the QOM competition, so the decision on who will wear the polka dot jersey heading into day 2 will be decided on the finish line – whoever finishes first, will take the jersey.<\/p>\n

1. Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal), 6 pts
2. Ma\u00ebva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ), 4 pts
3. Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly), 2 pts
4. Valentina Cavallar (Team SD Wrox-Protime), 1 pt<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T10:59:17.858Z<\/p>\n

Mischa Bredewold (Team SD Worx-ProTime) pushes the pace at the front of the bunch on another uphill segment of the course – she is looking to make it tough for the faster women in the bunch, to try and thin out the group ahead for the finale for her teammate, Lotte Kopecky.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T10:58:00.266Z
\n65km to go<\/p>\n

The categorised climbing is over for the day – however there are still plenty of undulations to be tackled en route to the finish line.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T10:57:02.907Z<\/p>\n

There are a range of top challengers for the GC at this year’s Vuelta Femenina, looking to succeed Demi Vollering and finish the week on the top step of the podium.<\/p>\n

But the race isn’t only about the top contenders; there are a host of up and coming young riders who could make a breakthrough at the race. Read more about the future GC stars<\/a> taking to the roads of Spain this week.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T10:50:03.555Z<\/p>\n

The peloton is now beginning the second categorised climb of the day – it’s a tougher challenge, with an average gradient of 5.8% and one short section at over 10% – we can expect to see Squiban on the offensive again, to consolidate her early lead in the QOM competiton. But can anyone make a breakaway stick?<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T10:46:38.040Z
\nSquiban wins first QOM battle<\/p>\n

With the second of two climbs approaching, two-time Tour de France stage winner in 2025 Ma\u00ebva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) has set out her stall, attacking at the summit of the Ato do Cruceiro to take the maximum available points in the QOM competition. Here are the complete standings atop the climb.<\/p>\n

1. Ma\u00ebva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) 6pts
2. Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (IG Insurance-Soudal) 4pts
3. Yuliia Biriukova (Laboral Kutxa-Fundaci\u00f3n Euskadi) 2pts
4. Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly) 1pt<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T10:39:09.856Z<\/p>\n

Biriukova is caught. The top teams in the bunch are controlling the attacks at this point in the race. On a relatively short stage, and the first of the race, there is bound to be tension in the group.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T10:37:44.728Z
\n75km to go<\/p>\n

The first hour of racing, and the first climb of the 2026 Vuelta Femenina, is complete.<\/p>\n

A new attacker tries her luck on the descent from the climb – Yuliia Biriukova of Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T10:35:21.560Z<\/p>\n

The complete peloton taking on stage 1 of La Vuelta Femenina.<\/p>\n

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\"SALVATERRA\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-05-03T10:24:03.277Z
\n80km to go<\/p>\n

The peloton is complete as the race begins the first climb of the day, the Alto do Cruceiro. As yet, no breakaway attempt has been successful.<\/p>\n

Who will make it to the top first and claim the first available QOM points?<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc55 \u00a1La ropa empieza a sobrar!\ud83d\udc55 No need for the extra layers now!@FaulknerKristen | #LaVueltaFemenina pic.twitter.com\/qD0togumcXMay 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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2026-05-03T10:22:06.956Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"MARIN,\n<\/p>\n

Fans greet the riders before the start of today’s stage. (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T10:13:39.270Z<\/p>\n

There’s no time trial in this year’s race – the organisers opted to leave out the opening stage team time trial that has kicked off proceedings since the race began in its new extended format in 2022.<\/p>\n

There is plenty of variation during the seven days, however, with arguably the toughest final mountain test in the race’s history, as the women will battle up the mighty Angliru.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Read our in-depth route analysis<\/a> to find out what lies in wait for the participants at the 2026 edition of the race.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T10:08:56.093Z<\/p>\n

Despite the wet conditions, riders begin to shed layers as they prepare for action.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc55 \u00a1La ropa empieza a sobrar!\ud83d\udc55 No need for the extra layers now!@FaulknerKristen | #LaVueltaFemenina pic.twitter.com\/qD0togumcXMay 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-05-03T10:07:11.496Z<\/p>\n

The first attacker of the race is Andrea Casagranda from the Italian continental team, Vini Fantini-BePink, but she is caught by the pursuing peloton.<\/p>\n

No breakaway as yet, with just over 10 kilometres of racing having elapsed.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T10:04:01.815Z<\/p>\n

While there is plenty to do for the fast women at the conclusion of today’s stage, there’s also an opportunity for attacking riders to fight for the first polka dot Queen of the Mountains jersey, with two categorised climbs appearing on today’s route.<\/p>\n

Both category 3, the climbs come in quick succession – the first, the Alto do Cruceiro, appears after 38 kilometres. It’s a 7.8 kilometre challenge at an average gradient of 4.6%. After that, the Alto da Portela features, around 50 kilometres into the day’s action. It’s a shorter test at 3.6 kilometres, but with a steeper average pitch of 5.8%, it could offer a launchpad to any riders looking to pick up QOM points, or even making a late breakaway attempt.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T09:58:11.145Z<\/p>\n

In addition to the honour of wearing the first red leader’s jersey of the race, today’s first stage will also see the fight for the green points jersey kick off in earnest, with the favourites for the stage’s punchy uphill finish last year’s green jersey winner Marianne Vos (Team Visma-Lease a Bike) and winner of Milano-Sanremo in March, Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx-ProTime).<\/p>\n

An intermediate sprint with just 12 kilometres remaining on the stage will bring all the contenders to the fore, ahead of what’s guaranteed to be an explosive finale in Salvaterra de Mi\u00f1o.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T09:49:33.888Z
\nThe action kicks off in Spain<\/p>\n

The flag drops and the action is underway at the 2026 La Vuelta Femenina, with the first attacks flying off from the peloton.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude0a \u00a1Salida lanzada de la etapa #LaVueltaFemenina!\ud83d\udca5 And we\u2019re off! #LaVueltaFemenina has officially started! pic.twitter.com\/Jvr9F5Z1FfMay 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-05-03T09:45:10.435Z<\/p>\n

Winner of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, much attention will be directed towards Visma-Lease a Bike’s Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot. She cannot be counted out as a GC threat, despite the fact she is building towards a defence of her title in France in July.<\/p>\n

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\"MARIN,\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-05-03T09:40:30.195Z<\/p>\n

Breakout star of the spring Classics, winning Amstel Gold Race and finishing in the top five of all three Ardennes Classics, home talent Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ) will hope to make an impression on her debut at La Vuelta Femenina.<\/p>\n

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\"MARIN,\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-05-03T09:37:06.934Z<\/p>\n

One of the favourites for this year’s overall victory, Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon\/\/SRAM-zondacrypto, greets the crowd ahead of today’s first stage.<\/p>\n

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\"MARIN,\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-05-03T09:33:21.568Z<\/p>\n

Bad weather, but good vibes, on the start line at La Vuelta Femenina.<\/p>\n

Selfie del d\u00eda \ud83e\udd33\ud83e\udd79 Aunque no salga el sol, no se nos quita la sonrisa de la cara. \u00a1Esto empieza!Startline selfie \ud83e\udd33\ud83d\ude0d No sun? No problem! We are all good vibes here at #LaVueltaFemenina pic.twitter.com\/UlReMb9PpbMay 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-05-03T09:25:49.763Z<\/p>\n

It’s a wet day in Mar\u00edn as the race rolls out for the neutralised start. Stage 1 will be underway shortly.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T09:24:47.669Z
\nThe race gets underway<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccd\ud835\udc0c\ud835\udc00\ud835\udc11\ud835\udc08\u0301\ud835\udc0d\ud83d\udcaa \u00a1Salida neutralizada de la etapa 1\ufe0f\u20e3!\ud83d\ude4c Here we gooo! Neutral start of stage 1\ufe0f\u20e3!#LaVueltaFemenina pic.twitter.com\/EKjqDLiECpMay 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-05-03T09:22:26.328Z<\/p>\n

Demi Vollering (FDJ SUEZ) reigned supreme at last year’s Vuelta Femenina, but the Dutchwoman does not return to defend her title this year, shifting focus instead to the Giro d’Italia Women after a strong Classics campaign.<\/p>\n

There are no shortage of contenders for the overall victory, however – check out our guide to the key contenders<\/a> for an insight into who to look out for on the Spanish roads over the next seven days.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T09:07:51.559Z<\/p>\n

Beginning in Mar\u00edn, and heading south to Salvaterra de Mi\u00f1o, the race gets underway with the neutralised start at 11:20 CET.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T09:06:31.269Z<\/p>\n

Today’s stage features two categorised climbs, along with an uphill finish which will decide who will be the first owner of the red leader’s jersey.<\/p>\n

2026-05-03T09:02:05.806Z<\/p>\n

Welcome to live coverage of stage 1 of La Vuelta Femenina. Grand Tour season begins with a punchy 113km in the north-west of Spain, in the region of Galicia.<\/p>\n

Stay with us all day for updates from the race.<\/p>\n

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