The first Women’s Grand Tour is here! The 2026 edition of La Vuelta Femenina runs May 3–9. The Spanish stage race begins in Galicia before a brutal finale in Asturias. And yes, they will be going up one of the most dreaded hills in cycling, the Angliru.
Climbers will eye the overall from day one, but the route offers just enough variety to keep things uncertain deep into the week. It is going to be some fantastic racing.
Stage 1–2: Rolling roads
The race begins in the rolling terrain around Marín and Salvaterra de Miño. Then it heads inland from Lobios to San Cibrao das Viñas. These aren’t proper mountain days, but they ain’t a walk in el parque , either.
The constant elevation and tricky finales should prevent any chill sections. Nope, it will be two days of tough action that requires anyone who wants to do well at the end of this race, to be up there.
Expect aggressive racing and the GC to start taking shape immediately. Anyone who wants to be up there in the overall needs to be sharp.
Stage 3: A day for the sprinters
From Padrón to A Coruña, the parcours finally eases..well, at least in terms of hills. Speed will still be a factor. It’s the clearest opportunity for fast finishers. Positioning will still matter on exposed coastal roads. If it’s windy, there may be sports.
Stage 4: Punchy finale
Monforte de Lemos to Antas de Ulla ends on a rise. It’s short, sharp, and ideal for late attacks. Time gaps may be small, but they’ll count.
Stage 5: Transition day…but windy?
A flatter run from León offers a bit of a break on paper. But once again, wind could split the race and punish any lapse in focus. GC riders will need to be near the front.
Stage 6: A proper mountain stage
The climb to Les Praeres is steep, irregular and unforgiving. Stage 6 brings the first true mountain showdown.
Stage 7: Angliru decides all
Everything points to the final ascent of the Alto de L’Angliru, where extreme gradients will settle the overall. If the race isn’t already broken, it will be here. It’s one of the most (in)famous climbs in cycling, and for the first time, the women will tackle this leg-breaker. It will make for an incredible final stage.
Some of the top riders include Kasia Niewiadoma (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto), Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ), Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ), Anna van der Breggen (Team SD Worx – Protime), Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly), Juliette Berthet (FDJ United – SUEZ), Mischa Bredewold (Team SD…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…