{"id":567509,"date":"2026-05-05T14:18:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T14:18:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/567509\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T14:18:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T14:18:14","slug":"la-vuelta-femenina-stage-3-live-a-leading-group-of-two-riders-has-more-than-three-minutes-on-the-peloton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/567509\/","title":{"rendered":"La Vuelta Femenina stage 3 LIVE: A leading group of two riders has more than three minutes on the peloton"},"content":{"rendered":"

Refresh <\/p>\n

2026-05-05T14:14:04.816Z<\/p>\n

The bunch is beginning to turn the screw once more, a variety of teams now on the front as Vervloet drifts off Wilson-Haffenden’s wheel and the gap slips below two minutes once more.<\/p>\n

40km to go <\/p>\n

2026-05-05T14:09:30.750Z<\/p>\n

An interesting change at the front of the peloton, with Liv-Alula-Jayco and Vini Fantini-Bepink leading the peloton alongside UAE Team ADQ.
The gap sits around the two minute mark.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T14:03:01.320Z<\/p>\n

And now the gap has gone out again, it’s over two minutes, the peloton taking the chance to get rid of rain jackets, grab a bottle and the red jersey stop for a comfort break.<\/p>\n

49km to go<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T14:00:41.376Z<\/p>\n

There are a few climbs on the coast road. One in particular, with 15km to go, just after the intermediate sprint, could cause some issues, with short ramps of double digit gradients.
It’s a great place to attack, especially with that cross tail wind.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T13:55:04.566Z<\/p>\n

Much of the road to the coast is downhill, so the pace is high but Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (Lidl-Trek) and Sterre Vervloet (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 Ladies) are being reeled back in quickly now, their advantage is down to only 1.09.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Sterre\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-05-05T13:50:38.493Z<\/p>\n

The wind is just about what it was at the start, about 16km\/h from the north west, so it’ll be a decent cross tail wind when they hit the coast, this may well bring some action.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T13:47:51.885Z<\/p>\n

We’re heading north now, towards the coast, reaching it 30km from the line. Then it’s basically east, along the coast.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T13:45:44.760Z<\/p>\n

We’re more than halfway now and about to reach the highest point of today’s stage. It’s actually been almost all uphill from the start and we’re 502m above sea level.
Wilson-Haffenden and Vervloet lead by 1.53.<\/p>\n

60km to go<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T13:39:23.577Z<\/p>\n

Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ) is leading the race overall, though she’s yet to win stage, she was third on stage 1 and second on stage 2. What are the chances she keeps her red jersey with a win today?<\/p>\n

\n

\"Franziska\n<\/p>\n

Franziska Koch (FDJ United – SUEZ) wears the overall leader’s red jersey during stage 3 of the 2026 La Vuelta Femenina. (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T13:33:52.125Z<\/p>\n

The gap has settled, the peloton have brought the breakaway too within reach and they now sit at 2.30 in front. They’re not likely to win, but that’s the beauty of cycling, you never know.<\/p>\n

70km to go <\/p>\n

2026-05-05T13:25:21.785Z<\/p>\n

With no classified climb on the route today, we do have an intermediate sprint, though it’s not until 16.7km to go.
The brakaway’s advantage continues to drop, it’s now only 2.35.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T13:18:04.547Z<\/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

2026-05-05T13:15:30.855Z<\/p>\n

The peloton are getting organised now and the gap has dropped below three minutes.<\/p>\n

\n

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

The peloton competing during stage 3 of the 2026 La Vuelta Femenina between Padron to A Coruna. (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T13:09:44.588Z<\/p>\n

This is a strong and mature ride from the two escapees.
Wilson-Haffenden is only 20, while Vervloet is just 22-years-old.
They lead the peloton by 3.11.<\/p>\n

80km to go<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T13:05:12.876Z<\/p>\n

But we could have another sprint on our hands. Yesterday’s was very dramatic, with Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) relegated for an irregular sprint.<\/p>\n

“If I start a sprint tomorrow I would do exactly the same,” she said afterwards. <\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Mischa\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-05-05T13:01:03.882Z<\/p>\n

There are now two groups on the road, Wilson-Haffenden and Vervloet lead the peloton by 3.44, the race rolling at an average speed of about 36km\/h.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:58:00.828Z<\/p>\n

Wilson-Haffenden started the day 5.20 down on GC, while Vervloet was at 19.56, neither is a threat to the overall lead, will the bunch let them fight for the stage, or will the sprinters want another battle?<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:54:54.091Z<\/p>\n

And it’s all change.
Garua’s group have seven up the ghost, sat up and are heading back to the bunch.
Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (Lidl-Trek) and Sterre Vervloet (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 Ladies) lead the peloton by 3.10.<\/p>\n

90km to go <\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:52:59.913Z<\/p>\n

The two groups have been up the road a while now and still they’re separated, though the gap is coming down and they’re almost together. Garau is now the overall leader of the Vuelta on the road.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Marina\n<\/p>\n

Marina Garau (Vini Fantini-BePink) leads a chasing group during stage 3 of the 2026 La Vuelta Femenina 2026. (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:44:28.909Z<\/p>\n

It’s proving harder than they hoped for G\u00e9gu, Ragusa and Garau to reach the leading pair, they’ve slipped back very slightly.
Will they even get there?<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:41:28.073Z<\/p>\n

Though she is on an Italian team, Garau is one of only eight Spanish riders who started the race on Sunday, partly because there are no Spanish Continental teams anymore.
We investigated the state of women’s pro cycling in Spain, La Vuelta is thriving but the lower levels are struggling. <\/a><\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-05-05T12:38:23.639Z<\/p>\n

Wilson-Haffenden and Vervloet lead the peloton by 2.19 with the chasers 20 seconds behind.<\/p>\n

100km to go <\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:33:36.266Z<\/p>\n

The two groups are coming together now, it seems as though the leading pair are waiting for the chasers.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:29:20.885Z<\/p>\n

But Garau’s group are not gaining time at the same pace as Wilson-Haffenden and Vervolet who are 2.15 ahead, while G\u00e9gu, Ragusa and Garau are only 1.33 in front of the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:27:34.520Z<\/p>\n

Marina Garau is the best placed breakaway rider in the breakaway, trailing Koch’s overall lead by 2.13. She might well be the virtual leader on the road very soon.
Her Vini Fantini-Bepink team is the lowest ranked team in the race and the only third division, Continental squad.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:20:48.646Z<\/p>\n

With 110km to go Wilson-Haffenden and Vervloet now lead the peloton by 1.35 with G\u00e9gu, Ragusa and Garau 35 seconds behind them.<\/p>\n

The breakaway is formed<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:17:38.438Z<\/p>\n

Wilson-Haffenden and Vervloet are 49 seconds ahead with G\u00e9gu, Ragusa and Garau 14 seconds behind them.
It seems the Mayenne team were looking for the breakaway today.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udde3\ufe0fLas chicas del @MayenneCycling tienen un objetivo: ser protagonistas de la fuga del d\u00eda \u2694\ufe0f
\n\ud83d\udc4a The Mayenne Monbana My Pie girls have one goal: be part of breakaway of the day! #LaVueltaFemenina pic.twitter.com\/1PssmwGP51May 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:13:49.732Z<\/p>\n

Medical update on Eleonora \ud83c\udfe5
\nAfter the stage yesterday, Eleonora Ciabocco went for multiple checks and scans at the hospital, with the final one revealing what our medical team suspected – that she unfortunately suffered some broken bones in the crash \ud83d\ude14
\nShe therefore won\u2019t\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/49co4lx9NAMay 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:12:29.748Z<\/p>\n

Now Justine G\u00e9gu (Mayenne-Monbana-My Pie) has set off in pursuit of the leaders, with Katia Ragusa (Human Powered Health) and Marina Garau (Vini Fantini-Bepink) joining her.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:08:50.094Z<\/p>\n

With only two kilometres done we have two riders away, Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (Lidl-Trek) and Sterre Vervloet (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9 Ladies) have 18 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:07:11.331Z<\/p>\n

We had 118 riders start the stage today, Noemi R\u00fcegg wasn’t the only one to leave the race after yesterday’s stage.
Eleonora Ciabocco (Picnic-PostNL) and Margot Vanpachtenbeke (Lidl-Trek) have also withdrawn overnight.<\/p>\n

They join a growing list of riders dropping out of the 2026 race. <\/a><\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-05-05T12:03:22.522Z<\/p>\n

We’re racing, with 121.2km ahead of us.<\/p>\n

The flag drops<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T12:02:27.140Z<\/p>\n

Our race leader, Fransika Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ) and stage two winner Shari Bossuyt (AG Insurance-Soudal) before the roll out.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Franziska\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-05-05T11:58:24.253Z<\/p>\n

There’s little change in the weather from previous stages, with a maximum temperature forecast at around 15\u00ba, some rain and winds up to around 18km\/h from the north-west. That could cause some issues in the bunch as we run along the coast later.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T11:56:18.487Z<\/p>\n

And we’re rolling for 4km of neutralised riding before the stage gets going proper.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T11:55:50.801Z<\/p>\n

The organisers describe the day as flat, and admittedly there are no classified climbs, but…<\/p>\n

It’s a day for the opportunists with relentless climbing on the roads to A Coru\u00f1a.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"SAN-CIBRAO-DAS-VINAS,\n<\/p>\n

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

2026-05-05T11:54:27.296Z<\/p>\n

Riders are already heading to the start, Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) doesn’t look too happy with the weather.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Anna\n<\/p>\n

Anna van der Breggen (Team SD Worx-Protime) prior to stage 3 of the 2026 La Vuelta Femenina. (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T11:52:16.589Z<\/p>\n

Today’s stage is another tough one, with more than 2,000m of vertical ascent. We roll out from the town of Padr\u00f3n at 14:00 Spanish time, and finish in A Coru\u00f1a 121.2km later.<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T11:45:52.775Z<\/p>\n

It was a difficult day for EF Education-Oatly though.<\/p>\n

Their Former Swiss champion, Noemi R\u00fcegg started the day in the leader’s red jersey, but crashed out of the race.
She’s since been diagnosed with a broken shoulder.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Noemi\n<\/p>\n

Noemi Ruegg of Switzerland (EF Education-Oatly) wears the red leader’s jersey at the Vuelta Femenina 2026 (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-05-05T11:39:08.637Z<\/p>\n

Yesterday was another gripping, enthralling day, with many a tale to being told.<\/p>\n

Shari Bossuyt the dramatic stage 2 sprint as Franziska Koch takes second place and the overall lead.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Shari\n<\/p>\n

Shari Bossuyt (Team AG Insurance-Soudal) celebrates after winning stage 2 of the 2026 Vuelta Femenina in San Cibrao das Vinas. (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of stage three of the Vuelta Espa\u00f1a Femenina.<\/p>\n