Vuelta Femenina 2026: Kopecky strikes a double
fotobureau Cor VosThe peloton reels in attackers Lauretta Hanson and Marta Jaskulska inside the final 3 kilometres, after which it’s down to the sprinters. Lotte Kopecky takes the win, with her teammate Anna van der Breggen finishing second with Letizia Paternoster in third. As a bonus, Kopecky also takes over the red jersey from Franziska Koch.
(Slideshow route/profile)
Stage 4 Results – 2026 Vuelta Femenina
1. Lotte Kopecky (bel) 3:07:11
2. Anna Van der Breggen (nld) s.t.
3. Letizia Paternoster (ita) s.t.
4. Shari Bossuyt (bel) s.t.
5. Franziska Koch (ger) s.t.
6. Sarah Van Dam (can) s.t.
7. Liane Lippert (ger) s.t.
8. Arlenis Sierra (cub) s.t.
9. Agnieska Skalniak-Sojka (pol) s.t.
10. Karlijn Swinkels (nld) s.t.
GC after stage 4
1. Lotte Kopecky (bel)
2. Franziska Koch (ger) + 0:06
3. Cédrine Kerbaol (fra) + 0:12
4. Anna Van der Breggen (nld) + O:20
5. Sarah Van Dam (can) + 0:22
6. Evita Muzic (fra) s.t.
7. Loes Adegeest (nld) + 0:24
8. Liane Lippert (ger) + 0:26
9. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (fra) s.t.
10. Paula Blasi (spa) s.t.
Race report
Despite several attacks, there is still no breakaway after 11 kilometres when Annelies Nijssen and Marine Allione give it a go. That proves to be the right move, and they build a lead of over 1 minute.
After cresting the Alto de Oural, the gap had come down and Lauretta Hanson seizes the opportunity to bridge across. Also Marta Jaskulska joins them, and as a quartet they extend their lead to over 3 minutes.
The gap has dropped to 1 minute when Jaskulska attacks inside the final 15 kilometres, with Hanson the only rider able to follow her wheel. The two work together brilliantly and the gap refuses to drop. That only happens with 5.8 kilometres to go, on the approach to the intermediate sprint in Monterroso, where red jersey Franziska Koch picks up 2 bonus seconds.
The two escapees are eventually caught with 2.5 kilometres to go, after which it’s down to the sprinters. Liane Lippert accelerates already with 400 metres to go, effectively providing an unintentional lead-out for Lotte Kopecky. The Belgian says thank you very much, while her teammate Anna van der Breggen follows her home in second place.
As a bonus, Kopecky takes over the red jersey, with Koch dropping back to second with a 6-second deficit.
Another interesting read: route 4th stage 2026 Vuelta Femenina.
Vuelta Femenina 2026 stage 4: video, routes, profiles
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