Vuelta Femenina 2026: Bossuyt wins, Koch new leader

fotobureau Cor VosIn the lead-up to the finale, red jersey holder Noemi Rüegg is forced to abandon after a crash, after which the uphill finale comes down to a sprint among the stronger riders. Shari Bossuyt takes the win ahead of Franziska Koch, allowing the German rider to take the red jersey while the stage winner moves up to second place. Lotte Kopecky does not feature in the sprint and drops to third overall. (Slideshow route/profile)

Stage 2 Results – 2026 Vuelta Femenina

1. Shari Bossuyt (bel) 2:55:50
2. Franziska Koch (ger) s.t.
3. Évita Muzic (fra) s.t.
4. Letizia Paternoster (spa) s.t.
5. Sarah Van Dam (can) s.t.
6. Anna van der Breggen (nld) s.t.
7. Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (rsa) s.t.
8. Liane Lippert (ger) s.t.
9. Usoa Osoloza (spa) s.t.
10. Loes Adegeest (nld) s.t.

GC after stage 2

1. Franziska Koch (ger)
2. Shari Bossuyt (bel) + 0:06
3. Lotte Kopecky (bel) + 0:10
4. Évita Muzic (fra) + 0:12
5. Loes Adegeest (nld) + 0:14
6. Maeva Squiban (fra) + 0:16
7. Anna van der Breggen (nld) s.t.
8. Monica Trinco Colonel (ita) s.t.
9. Liane Lippert (ger) s.t.
10. Paule Blasi (spa) s.t.

Race report

It takes 44 kilometres for the first attack to come. When it finally happens, it sticks immediately, and Carina Schrempf, Julie Van de Velde, Marieke Meert, Léa Rondel and Andrea Casagranda ride out to a lead of half a minute.

In the lead-up to the intermediate sprint, Rondel and Casagranda are dropped from the lead group, while the other three are caught with 27 kilometres remaining.

Katrine Aalerud slips away with 13 kilometres to go, and not long after, red jersey holder Noemi Rüegg is among the victims of a crash. The Swiss rider is forced to abandon.

Aalerud heads onto the climb inside the final 5 kilometres with a 20-second lead, but the peloton steadily closes in and her move is brought to an end with 2.7 kilometres to go.

Anna van der Breggen then takes control on the front and sets a steady, relentless pace. Laura Blasi tries to spring a surprise, but when that fails, the tireless Van der Breggen delivers the lead-out for Lotte Kopecky. The Belgian launches her sprint, but after coming together with her compatriot Shari Bossuyt, she is out of position. Franziska Koch is also held up..

Bossuyt, however, is unaffected and powers to the biggest victory of her career. Koch crosses the line in second place and takes over the red jersey from the unfortunate Rüegg.

Another interesting read: route 2nd stage 2026 Vuelta Femenina.