It will be another day that red jersey Koch will hope to continue her rise through the rankings and turn her third and second into first.<\/p>\n
2026-05-04T15:52:26.293Z<\/p>\n
Double delight for AG Insurance-Soudal as they also take the white best young rider jersey with Lore De Schepper. The former wearer, Eleonora Ciabocco (Picnic-PostNL) crashed with Noemi R\u00fcegg (EF Education-Oatly)but she managed to finish 2’29” down on the winner today.<\/p>\n
\n
![\"SAN-CIBRAO-DAS-VINAS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7MCBxLWtdRY4sTQguyhw55.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2026-05-04T15:49:45.928Z<\/p>\n
With no QOM points on offer today, Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) holds onto her polka-dot jersey after finishing safely.<\/p>\n
\n
![\"SAN-CIBRAO-DAS-VINAS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/pb3r4bpXP7zC8xaEgc3Rif.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2026-05-04T15:47:49.210Z<\/p>\n
And the good news keeps coming for Koch as she also takes over the lead of the points classification.<\/p>\n
\n
![\"SAN-CIBRAO-DAS-VINAS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/KTYF8rmhNPxrzzjKnzbi8W.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2026-05-04T15:46:14.848Z<\/p>\n
What a year 2026 continues to be for Franziska Koch. The FDJ United-Suez rider has a long list of top results but also the win at Paris-Roubaix and now the race lead at La Vuelta Femenina.<\/p>\n
\n
![\"SAN-CIBRAO-DAS-VINAS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/SWKzPJ3JDkKPibXYJ8g4mG.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2026-05-04T15:40:18.976Z<\/p>\n
It is the biggest win for Shari Bossuyt’s career. What a moment for her. The Belgian rider was in floods of tears after the finish.<\/p>\n
\n
![\"SAN-CIBRAO-DAS-VINAS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/w4KiZPpoBbpoFdGNm28GCQ.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
2026-05-04T15:16:58.819Z<\/p>\n
Franziska Koch took second on the day and will wear red tomorrow after Noemi R\u00fcegg abandoned after crashing.<\/p>\n
2026-05-04T15:14:03.122Z<\/p>\n
Kopecky was given the perfect leadout but she launched late. Bossuyt was already in full sprint with Kopecky then changing her line dramatically and bumping into Bossuyt who, somehow, didn’t get disturbed in her sprint where Kopecky lost all her momentum.<\/p>\n
2026-05-04T15:11:37.955Z<\/p>\n
Shari Bossuyt (AG Insurance-Soudal) wins stage 2 of La Vuelta Femenina 2026!<\/p>\n
2026-05-04T15:10:01.361Z<\/p>\n
500 metres to go.<\/p>\n
2026-05-04T15:09:52.206Z Into the final 1000 metres with Koch moving up at the perfect moment. Kerbaol launches first, though.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T15:09:16.389Z Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ)<\/p>\n Niewiadoma-Phinney, Van der Breggen, Moolman-Pasio and Lippert go with her. FDJ United-Suez and Visma-Lease a Bike close it down again, though.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T15:08:13.560Z<\/p>\n Berthet’s move brought Aalerud back. Now, with 2km to go, Van der Breggen leads the way with Niewiadoma-Phinney locked on her wheel. Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot right up there as well as Lippert, Blasi and the rest all following.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T15:06:26.816Z<\/p>\n Juliette Berthet (FDJ United-Suez) tried a move but all the GC names come to the front and Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) takes over the pacing with 2.5km to go.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T15:05:22.133Z<\/p>\n 3km to go and the rain is coming down. Aalerud still has a gap but FDJ United-Suez come to the front with Eva van Agt leading out Franziska Koch.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T15:04:45.552Z Valentina Cavallar (SD Worx-Protime)<\/p>\n That descent was very sketchy. Hopefully she is okay after working so hard for her team today.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T15:03:55.056Z<\/p>\n SD Worx-Protime appear to be working for Bredewold.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T15:03:36.400Z<\/p>\n The French national champion of Marie Le Net (FDJ United-Suez) tried to go clear but SD Worx-Protime take control.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T15:03:02.181Z<\/p>\n 4km to go and Aalerud is holding her gap very well.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T15:02:14.979Z Aalerud is riding so well but she is now being closed in on rapidly. She got a maximum gap of 25″ but is now maybe 10″ ahead of the bunch.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:59:14.759Z<\/p>\n Very sketchy descent here. on a mix of wet and dry roads as the riders come in after the rain.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:57:56.576Z<\/p>\n Abandon<\/p>\n Noemi R\u00fcegg (EF Education-Oatly)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Swiss rider abandons in the red leader’s jersey.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:57:22.969Z Aalerud has 12″ over the peloton that is now missing the red and white jerseys due to that crash. Movistar come to the front of the peloton, likely for German Liane Lippert.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:53:42.825Z Noemi R\u00fcegg (EF Education-Oatly) The red and white jerseys go down together into a wall and are both staying down. That was a bizarre crash right towards the front of the bunch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:51:07.723Z Katrine Aalerud (Uno-X Mobility)<\/p>\n That was why the Norwegian team came to the front. It was a leadout for Aalerud. Cavallar is doing the chasing for SD Worx-Protime.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:50:04.724Z<\/p>\n Uno-X Mobility comes to the front of the peloton. Faulkner gets back in after one last stop at the team car.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:48:15.716Z<\/p>\n Hanson leading the peloton. Multiple sprint and GC leaders right up towards the front of the peloton. Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot looks like she’s just floating on the bike today.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:47:01.533Z<\/p>\n The pace is really high as the riders come close to the finish. The riders who are going out the back are taking the chance to take rain jackets before the team cars move on.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:44:24.744Z Cedrine Kerbaol (EF Edcuation-Oatly) is pushing the pace on a descent and is stringing the peloton out into one long line.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:42:49.073Z Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek) They are closed down by EF Education-Oatly and SD Worx-Protime.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:41:42.520Z<\/p>\n The riders are powering along dry roads in lovely sunshine, but they have rain ahead of them. It is currently raining at the finish.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:40:52.750Z<\/p>\n UAE Team ADQ, Visma-Lease a Bike, EF Education-Oatly and SD Worx-Protime leading the way.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:40:07.292Z<\/p>\n Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto) has come to the front for the first time today as the attacks were threatening to take things out of control. UAE Team ADQ are trying to do just that though, control things.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:38:53.077Z Loes Adegeest (Lidl-Trek) There are so many attackers that it comes back together again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:34:14.462Z Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek) Fenix-Premier Tech closes it down again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:32:49.433Z<\/p>\n And that is the breakaway caught with 27km to go.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:32:34.270Z<\/p>\n Lidl-Trek lead the peloton with EF Education-Oatly and UAE Team ADQ all up to the front. Visma-Lease a Bike, SD Worx-Protime and Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto being pushed out for the moment.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:30:01.151Z Intermediate sprint (A Merca)<\/p>\n 1. Schrempf (FPT) 25pts 6″ \ud83c\udfc1 29,8 km | Etapa 2\ufe0f\u20e3 Stage 2\ufe0f\u20e3 \u2014 @lavueltafem.bsky.social (@lavueltafem.bsky.social.bsky.social<\/a>) 2026-05-04T14:36:39.467Z<\/a> 2026-05-04T14:24:59.206Z Lauretta Hanson (Lidl-Trek) Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot (Visma-Lease a Bike) herself closes that latest move down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:24:11.654Z<\/p>\n Meanwhile, out front, the break is fracturing under the pressure of Van de Velde. She has dropped Rondel and Casagranda.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:23:31.740Z Mischa Bredevold (SD Worx-Protime)<\/p>\n Still, nothing going.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:22:01.517Z<\/p>\n The break of five out front still have 30″ on the peloton.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:21:40.476Z Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek) Canyon-SRAM-ZondaCrypto close it down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:20:45.491Z<\/p>\n Lidl-Trek clearly choosing this moment to try and split things.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:20:22.867Z Lauretta Hanson (Lidl-Trek)<\/p>\n She is also brought back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:19:48.793Z Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (Lidl-Trek)<\/p>\n She was followed closely by all the big teams and doesn’t get away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:17:55.510Z<\/p>\n About 7km to the intermediate sprint.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:16:20.756Z<\/p>\n The peloton are just holding the break at about a minute.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:09:31.985Z The gap sitting at 1’08” now.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:06:56.637Z<\/p>\n The break have managed to extend their gap back out to around a minute.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T14:00:37.011Z<\/p>\n Now on a bit of a rise and the pace in the bunch is seeing some riders get dropped out of the back. Tiffany Cromwell (Canyon-SRAM-ZondaCrypto) and Sterre Vervloet (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9) are two of them.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T13:58:25.208Z<\/p>\n The break are working well together, though. Schrempf, Casagranda, Meert, Van de Velde, and Rondel are doing a good job.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T13:55:55.892Z The peloton have got back on top of the race and are now bringing the gap back down. The five riders out front now just have 30″ gap.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T13:51:52.054Z<\/p>\n After some damp roads at the start, the riders have a bit of sunshine beating down on their shoulders.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T13:42:32.943Z<\/p>\n Now over a minute for the leaders.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T13:40:45.436Z<\/p>\n 48″ gap now as this five rider break continues to work well together.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T13:38:27.449Z The break are starting to form and get a better gap with the time steadily climbing. Currently at 34″.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T13:35:37.548Z<\/p>\n The gap expands to 30″.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T13:35:20.772Z Carina Schrempf (Fenix-Premier Tech) They have just 17″ on the bunch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T13:29:57.259Z<\/p>\n A new move gets a small gap on the peloton.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T13:24:43.787Z<\/p>\n Abandon<\/p>\n Ella Wyllie (Liv-AlUla-Jayco)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Kiwi has been struggling with illness and was unable to continue.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T13:17:28.088Z<\/p>\n After one hour of racing the average speed is at 33.5kph.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T13:06:50.247Z<\/p>\n Now the pace has completely dropped and there’s nothing happening. It has been very stop-start so far today.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:57:02.184Z<\/p>\n It is all very cagey in the peloton. No-one is willing to let a breakaway form.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:53:29.714Z<\/p>\n And those counter moves only achievement was to drag the race back together again.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:52:26.120Z<\/p>\n More riders are trying to bridge to the leading duo.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:50:52.833Z Aniek van Alphen (Fenix-Premier Tech) They just have a gap of about 15″ on the peloton.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:49:53.934Z<\/p>\n Immediately, an answer may be coming to that question as a gap is formed between the peloton and an attacker.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:49:19.278Z<\/p>\n The race heads onto the Alto do Vieiro. The uncategorised climb is 11.2km long and has kickers of over 10%. A chance for a break to go?<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:48:07.067Z<\/p>\n It has been a chaotic period of the race with several riders trying to form a break but the peloton are having none of it.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfc1 95 km | Etapa 2\ufe0f\u20e3 – Stage 2\ufe0f\u20e3 \u2014 @lavueltafem.bsky.social (@lavueltafem.bsky.social.bsky.social<\/a>) 2026-05-04T12:47:32.861Z<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:45:58.024Z<\/p>\n The riders are travelling over a mix of dry and wet roads with lots of mud on the grassy verges that could be washed onto the road and cause a hazard.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:43:52.463Z<\/p>\n The pace in the peloton suddenly changes with Lidl-Trek coming to the front. This has caught a few riders off guard and has seen a split form in the bunch.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:34:46.209Z Everything together after almost 10km of racing.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:33:35.622Z<\/p>\n There’s been a couple of moves to try and get away but nothing of any note. Each time someone tries to just sneak off the front, the rest of the pack follows.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:32:24.235Z<\/p>\n It has been quite the season so far from Noemi R\u00fcegg. With the EF Education-Oatly rider coming off the back of defending her title at the Tour Down Under in January. Since then, she has been super consistent with multiple top 10s and several podiums.<\/p>\n “I knew this finish was perfect for me. If I could draw my dream stage, it would end exactly like this,” said R\u00fcegg, in reference to the short climb to the line in Galicia, where an explosive uphill sprint was required.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “I knew I could trust in a long sprint, so I knew from the last corner I wanted to go full gas and all in. The team put me in a great position and I just went all out from the last corner. I didn’t want to have any regrets. I had a gap pretty much immediately and was like ‘ok just keep going’, then I looked back and saw I could make it to the finish. It\u2019s a dream.<\/p>\n “The team believed in me so much and it was big goal to go for the win, but the girls believed in it more than I did,” R\u00fcegg added, hinting at a level of confidence that will surely only grow from here.<\/p>\n >>> The rise of R\u00fcegg: Why the Vuelta Femenina win is a breakthrough moment for the Swiss puncheur<\/a><\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:27:03.258Z<\/p>\n The riders begin in overcast conditions but at a pleasant 14\u00baC. A little bit of a chill for riders getting used to the warmer weather. Not much wind but what there is of it is coming from the west, meaning it is a gentle crosswind for the moment. Unfortunately for the riders, we are getting some more Galician weather with some rain set to join the riders for the second part of the day.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:23:05.924Z<\/p>\n A steady start to the race sees no moves to form a break. This is the usual pattern, though. There is plenty of time for the race to open up.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:22:05.308Z<\/p>\n 124 riders started today with Vos and Lea Lin Teutenberg (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9) being the only riders not to start today. The young German abandoned the race yesterday.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:16:38.362Z Racing begins on stage 2 of La Vuelta Femenina 2026!<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:09:37.783Z<\/p>\n With R\u00fcegg in red after stage 1, the green points jersey is being worn by Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime).<\/p>\n Selfie del d\u00eda \ud83e\udd33\ud83e\udd79Startline selfie \ud83e\udd33\ud83d\ude0d#LaVueltaFemenina pic.twitter.com\/4BpF96mX02May 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-05-04T12:01:03.010Z<\/p>\n The riders have started the 7.4km neutralised section out of Lobios, the smallest start town of the race this year with a population of just 1766.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udccd\ud835\udc0b\ud835\udc0e\ud835\udc01\ud835\udc08\ud835\udc0e\ud835\udc12\ud83d\ude4c \u00a1Salida neutralizada de la etapa 2\ufe0f\u20e3!\ud83d\udcaa Here is the stage 2\ufe0f\u20e3 neutral start!#LaVueltaFemenina pic.twitter.com\/noY6UI8Vh6May 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-05-04T11:54:15.224Z<\/p>\n The neutral start is due in around five minutes with the official race start coming just 17 minutes later.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T11:40:56.667Z<\/p>\n There is only one intermediate sprint on this 109.8km route today. It comes with 30km to go.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T11:38:54.711Z<\/p>\n Now, onto today’s stage. Lumpier than the race’s opener but it should be the same sort of riders involved in the finish. A mix of punchy riders and GC riders. R\u00fcegg has a good chance to double up after her emphatic win yesterday…<\/p>\n >>> La Vuelta Femenina 2026 stage 2 preview: Constant climbs offer terrain for breakaway<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-05-04T11:37:17.790Z<\/p>\n Before focusing on today’s stage, the news broke this morning that Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) will not be taking to the start today due to a broken collarbone after crashing yesterday<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2026-05-04T11:34:10.511Z<\/p>\n Yesterday was a chaotic stage with a magnificent victory from Noemi R\u00fcegg (EF Education-Oatly). Relive the action with our post race report below…<\/p>\n >>> Vuelta Femenina stage 1: Noemi R\u00fcegg storms uphill sprint to beat Kopecky and Koch to first leader’s jersey<\/a><\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-05-04T11:32:04.420Z<\/p>\n Hola and welcome to Cyclingnews’ live report on the second stage of this year’s La Vuelta Femenina 2026.<\/p>\n
\nFlamme Rouge!<\/p>\n
\nAttack<\/p>\n
\nCrash<\/p>\n
\n5km to go<\/p>\n![\"SAN-CIBRAO-DAS-VINAS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CYjU9476nWnTNzskR6x9f9.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n10km to go<\/p>\n
\nCrash!<\/p>\n
Eleonora Ciabocco (Picnic-PostNL)<\/p>\n
\nAttack<\/p>\n![\"SAN-CIBRAO-DAS-VINAS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GGtFNRKgCMi6LGeJCdWQK5.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n20km to go<\/p>\n
\nAttack<\/p>\n
Cecile Uttrup Ludwig (Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto)
And one other.<\/p>\n
\nAttack<\/p>\n
Valentina Cavalar (SD Worx-Protime)
And many more.<\/p>\n
\nAttack<\/p>\n
Franziska Koch (FDJ United-Suez)
Plus two others.<\/p>\n
\n30km to go<\/p>\n
2. Van de Velde (AGS) 20pts 4″
3. Meert (LOI) 15pts 2″
4. Casagranda (BPK) 12pts
5. Realini (LTK) 10pts<\/p>\n
\n\ud83d\udc9a \ud835\udc00 \ud835\udc0c\ud835\udc04\ud835\udc11\ud835\udc02\ud835\udc00
\n1\ufe0f\u20e3 \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf9 Carina Schrempf – Fenix – Premier Tech | 25 p. – 6″
\n2\ufe0f\u20e3 \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea Julie Van De Velde – AG Insurance – Soudal | 20 p. – 4″
\n3\ufe0f\u20e3 \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea Marieke Meert – Lotto Intermarche Ladies | 15 p. – 2″
\n\ud83d\udc4b \u0160koda | #LaVueltaFemenina<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\nAttack<\/p>\n
Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ)<\/p>\n
\nAttack<\/p>\n
\nAttack<\/p>\n
Erica Magnaldi (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly)
About 5 others.<\/p>\n
\nAttack<\/p>\n
\nAttack<\/p>\n
\n40km to go<\/p>\n![\"SAN-CIBRAO-DAS-VINAS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/nmvkYWQdSmsZg2aHyoLymC.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n50km to go<\/p>\n
\n60km to go<\/p>\n
\nAttack<\/p>\n
Andrea Casagranda (Vini Fantini-Bepink)
Julie van de Velde (AG Insurance-Soudal)
Marieke Meert (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9)
L\u00e9a Rondel (Mayenne-Monbana-Mypie)<\/p>\n![\"SAN-CIBRAO-DAS-VINAS,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/yaMEk5TYmbch6KfBEtjzHb.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\nAttack<\/p>\n
Katia Ragusa (Human Powered Health)<\/p>\n
\n\ud83e\udee7\ud83e\udee7 Carretera mojada, mucha velocidad e intentos de fuga en estos primeros kil\u00f3metros
\n\ud83d\udca5 Wet roads, high speeds and several breakaway attempts mark the opening kilometres
\nracecenter.lavueltafemenina.es\/es\/
\n#LaVueltaFemenina<\/p>\n
\n100km to go<\/p>\n![\"SALVATERRA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2jyHR8NigQMKSVLAYiWoHg.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n109.8km to go<\/p>\n![\"SALVATERRA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/DPKFtDZ57hcQNjs5RiGPk3.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n