It’s very nearly time for the first women’s Grand Tour of the year and the start of stage racing season. We’ve already had a ton of exciting racing through the Spring Classics, and some thrilling breakthrough performances, but as we swap cobbles for mountains, there are opportunities for new types of riders to shine.
For several seasons, women’s stage racing has been dominated by a small crop of riders – Demi Vollering, Marlen Reusser, Elisa Longo Borghini – but below the big names, there is a new and talented generation of riders coming up.
We’re yet to see a new generation rider really explode onto the Grand Tour scene – though young riders have certainly made their mark in the Classics and other races – but it’s only a matter of time until a new name, or names, joins the upper echelon of stage racers in the women’s peloton. That could be as a new GC challenger, a pure climber, or just a rider who excels in multi-day racing.
There’s plenty of stage racing to come this season, but next week’s Vuelta Femenina should offer the first chance for these future stars to lay down their intentions and talents for 2026. With the race getting underway on Sunday, here are some riders we’ve picked out as ones to watch in Spain.
Usoa Ostolaza (Laboral Kutxa-Fundación Euskadi)
Spain’s Usoa Ostolaza is a rider who has quietly been becoming one of the very best GC riders and climbers on the lower-level circuit, but is yet to quite break through on the WorldTour level. So whilst dedicated women’s cycling fans will absolutely already know her talent and ability, she’s not yet on everyone’s radar – a big result at the Vuelta Femenina would change that.
Ostolaza, 28, is a former Spanish national champion who has been racing since 2021 but has really skyrocketed in the last few years. Her climbing credentials are already extremely impressive, with wins atop the Col d’Aubisque and Col du Soulor on her way to back to back Tour des Pyrénées titles, and she’s finished just outside the top 10 of both the Vuelta and the Giro d’Italia Women before.
This year, she looks primed to crack that top 10,…
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