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 Worx – Protime) and Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx – Protime).
Van Dam to Spain
Another top rider is Victoria’s Sarah Van Dam (Visma-Lease a Bike) who has been an absolute force this year. She had a fantastic 2025 with some top results, but has quickly become one of the big names in the women’s peloton.
Sarah Van Dam already delivering at Visma, Dutch ties aside
She has a few chances during the Vuelta, but will also be a key teammate to Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. PFP hasn’t been quite as dominant as last year, so that role may switch around if the Canadian finds herself up in the GC. It appears that Van Dam will be the sole Canuck racing the Tour of Spain. Alison Jackson, a winner of a stage in 2024 won’t be there. That is most likely due to her racing for the French team. St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93, this year. They are not racing the Vuelta. There may be a few more Canadians added in the next day as not all of the teams have filled out their roster.
Each stage will be broadcast live on Flobikes.com beginning at 6:40 a.m. EDT. Canadian Cycling Magazine will have reports after each day of racing. ¡Vamos, chicas!
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