Classics season is almost at an end, with the biggest race of the Ardennes triple, Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes, drawing the spring to a close on Sunday.
The race is the oldest of the men’s Monuments but runs just its 10th women’s race this weekend. Nonetheless, Liège is among the toughest Classics of the Women’s WorldTour calendar, with 11 major climbs and over 2,500 metres of ascent packed into the 156km race route.
Challenges along the way include the Côte de Stockeu, Col du Rosier, Côte de la Redoute, and the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons ahead of a flat finish in Liège city centre, which has hosted the finish since its move from nearby Ans in 2019.
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2025 champion Kim Le Court-Pienaar won’t be defending her title after fracturing her wrist at Milan-San Remo last month. Two past winners of the race – Demi Vollering and Anna van der Breggen – will be among the 126 riders setting out from Bastogne on Sunday morning, however, with the pair both seeking their third title.
Here’s a look at our list of the top contenders for the 2026 Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes.
Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ)
With a series of big wins under her belt already this spring, Demi Vollering is the main favourite to add another to the list in Liège on Sunday.
The Dutchwoman has won the race twice in the past, triumphing from a four-woman sprint in 2021 and beating Elisa Longo Borghini in a two-up sprint three years ago. In fact, an 11th place in 2020 was her only non-podium finish, with four third-place finishes also on her palmarès.
Before hitting the Ardennes, Vollering already had wins at the Setmana Valenciana, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and the Tour of Flanders to her name. She was third in her home Classic, Amstel Gold Race, but rode a dominant Mur de Huy to win La Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday.
The European Champion is the form pick, and she knows how to win here. She’ll also enjoy the backing of one of the strongest teams around, with Elise Chabbey, Evita Muzic, and Juliette Berthet among her support squad.
Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto)
Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney‘s Ardennes campaign looked in jeopardy when she
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