{"id":2100726,"date":"2026-08-18T10:52:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T07:52:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2100726"},"modified":"2026-08-18T10:52:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T07:52:16","slug":"lorena-wiebes-gc-chances-opportunist-riders-and-the-defending-champion-tour-of-britain-women-contenders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2100726","title":{"rendered":"Lorena Wiebes&#8217; GC chances, opportunist riders and the defending champion \u2013 Tour of Britain Women contenders"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-2560-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Leadville Trail 100 MTB contenders 2026 &#8211; Can anyone unseat Keegan Swenson and who can take the top spot vacated by Kate Courtney?\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2LH57uMLxJAHcbapBJHNMa-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2LH57uMLxJAHcbapBJHNMa-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    From the dominant to the anonymous \u2013\u00a0Rating every team&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes performance\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gudJt74K2JHZiJzWScBRLT-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gudJt74K2JHZiJzWScBRLT-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Eight things we learnt from a spellbinding edition of the Tour de France Femmes\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour of Britain Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Lorena Wiebes&#8217; GC chances, opportunist riders and the defending champion \u2013 Tour of Britain Women contenders<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-18T10:52:16Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n18 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">We take a look at the riders set to leave a mark on the 2026 Tour of Britain Women this week<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Ally Wollaston, Lorena Wiebes, Kim Le Court-Pienaar are among the contenders for the Tour of Britain Women<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"0\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid xl:hidden\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Lorena Wiebes &amp; Lotte Kopecky<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Kim Le Court-Pienaar<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Ally Wollaston<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Riejanne Markus &amp; Fleur Moors<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Karlijn Swinkels<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Nienke Veenhoven<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cacba-9a48-11f1-ae47-599c7c868c52\">After the excitement of the Tour de France Femmes, the Women&#8217;s WorldTour continues this week with the Tour of Britain Women, in its new slot in the calendar, moved from June.<\/p>\n<p>Wending its way from Cockermouth to Leamington Spa, the race&#8217;s route is fairly sprinter-friendly again this year, but as usual mixes in the typically lumpy and heavy British roads that are never as flat as they look. The main GC day will come on stage 3 in North Wales, where the peloton will tackle a steep uphill finish atop The Great Orme in Llandudno.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cacba-9a48-11f1-ae47-599c7c868c52-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Is The Great Orme hard enough to put the sprinters out of contention, though? Five years ago at the men&#8217;s race, Wout van Aert beat Julian Alaphilippe and Michael Woods to the top, to give you an idea of its challenges.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That is the big question, and one we won&#8217;t know for sure until Friday, but given the depth of the field and the riders who have won on the Great Orme before, it&#8217;s not impossible that a sprinter could blitz the other stages and survive that climb to win the race overall.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That said, the overall victory in this race will be mainly about consistency: about those riders who can do a little bit of everything, no matter what is thrown at them, and finish in the top 10 on the majority of days.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France Femmes stage winners Lorena Wiebes and Kim Le Court-Pienaar headline star-studded start list for Tour of Britain Women<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A solo raid and a time grab could also be a path to victory, though the number of strong sprint squads on the start list probably counts against the likelihood of that happening.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Despite the proximity to the Tour de France Femmes, the Tour of Britain Women has attracted a really strong line-up this year, with plenty of riders fitting that consistent bill and able to battle for the overall title. Here is our pick of a few of the biggest names to watch in the UK this week.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-euCDgcVYnivMMVb8jc9XTa\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-euCDgcVYnivMMVb8jc9XTa slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-lorena-wiebes-lotte-kopecky-sd-worx-protime\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Lorena Wiebes &amp; Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d5a8-9aea-11f1-bb83-db2a45316f81\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wiebes is fresh off green jersey victory <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65caf26-9a48-11f1-9433-ff79eacfe7a8\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">SD Worx-Protime are coming to the Tour of Britain Women with by far the strongest line-up, and multiple riders who could take the win. Tour green jersey champion Lorena Wiebes will be the pretty much untouchable favourite for any stage that ends in a sprint, which should be at least two of them if not four, particularly given Wiebes&#8217; ability to get over even some pretty difficult hills near the finish line.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Great Orme is obviously her big challenge, and the day that will probably make or break her GC ambitions, but given it&#8217;s only short \u2013 and remembering Wiebes&#8217; mega performance on day one of the Tour \u2013 she would absolutely dominate this stage, too.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If the Welsh climb does turn out to be a little too hard for Wiebes, Lotte Kopecky could step in as a worthy substitute, as in her role as final lead-out for Wiebes she should stay up there in the sprints, so a good finish on the Orme could put her in good stead overall. The Belgian had a fairly quiet Tour de France, but she will have a bigger role at the Tour of Britain Women and should be in a better position to race from the front a bit more.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">The seven riders from Australia and New Zealand taking to the start line at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And as if two favourites weren&#8217;t enough, keep an eye on Mischa Bredewold too. She&#8217;s fast in the sprints and a great, punchy climber, and has the astute racecraft to take any opportunities that come her way. The other teams will be trying to do everything they can to stop SD Worx, but given the riders they have here, I&#8217;m not sure they&#8217;ll be particularly successful.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kim-le-court-pienaar-ag-insurance-soudal\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d62a-9aea-11f1-b8cc-d1069eacc0f0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Le Court-Pienaar won stage 6 in France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb08e-9a48-11f1-8142-55d4584613dd\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another rider who is heading to the UK hot off a brilliant Tour performance is Kim Le Court-Pienaar, who won stage 6 in France and will be eyeing up an overall victory here. The definition of a rider who can do it all, with a remarkably fast sprint for such a good climber, Le Court-Pienaar is well-suited to this week&#8217;s parcours, and if she can stay up there in the first two stages she&#8217;ll have a great chance to go for more over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Mauritian rider will be surrounded by a strong AG Insurance-Soudal line-up that includes Alex Manly and Gladys Verhulst-Wild, and looks primed to be able to make things hard for their rivals, which is exactly what Le Court-Pienaar will need to win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She won&#8217;t win in pure bunch sprints, but if she can whittle the group down or make things challenging in the hills, Le Court-Pienaar has a really good chance of taking not just stage wins but the overall title here.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-ally-wollaston-fdj-united-suez\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Ally Wollaston (FDJ United-SUEZ)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d698-9aea-11f1-9abd-b3dc8c137d4e\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wollaston won the overall last year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb1f6-9a48-11f1-b653-335dd2bafef7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ally Wollaston will start with number one on her back as the defending champion, and rightfully deserves a spot on this list as a solid all-rounder, but the added difficulty of this year&#8217;s parcours means it probably isn&#8217;t quite suited to her as well as last year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The New Zealand rider should do well on the flatter stages, but coming from the Commonwealth Games and track racing, her climbing legs might not be quite where she needs them to tackle the Great Orme. Wollaston loves a race like this, though, and will give it her all to try to defend her jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Keep an eye on Kate Courtney at FDJ as she makes her WorldTour debut. The decorated mountain biker is still discovering where exactly her limitations lie on the road, and she will be going into this race with learning at the front of her mind, but that doesn&#8217;t mean she can&#8217;t get involved with the racing, too, and could definitely pull out a surprise performance.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-riejanne-markus-fleur-moors-lidl-trek\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Riejanne Markus &amp; Fleur Moors (Lidl-Trek)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d7c4-9aea-11f1-b237-67a6f3a14a38\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Markus looked strong at the Tour <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb34a-9a48-11f1-a094-094b7d3ddc20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Similarly to SD Worx, Lidl-Trek come into this race with a whole host of riders who would do well. Clara Copponi is their main sprinter, but they seem to be gambling on some harder finishes, with Classics revelation Fleur Moors certain to light things up in the climbs, and Riejanne Markus a good shout for a solo attack.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Shirin van Anrooij and Margot Vanpachtenbeke are great opportunists, too \u2013 in fact, Lidl-Trek&#8217;s whole team is super strong; it just remains to be seen if they can race the race how they want to, and disrupt the sprints that Wiebes and co will be hoping for.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-karlijn-swinkels-uae-team-l-imad\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d832-9aea-11f1-a705-8d84bf4a0223\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Swinkels took a big Classics win at Trofeo Binda this year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb4bc-9a48-11f1-84c3-fb1438d6c3ce\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">UAE Team L&#8217;Imad are probably the team with the best shot at beating Wiebes in a straight sprint, bringing Lara Gillespie as their main sprinter and one of the few people in the peloton who has even come close to Wiebes this year. However, their overall hopes may come elsewhere, with Karlijn Swinkels (third last year) headlining a strong group of contenders that includes Eleonora Gasparrini and Erica Magnaldi.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Swinkels is perhaps one of the most underrated riders in the peloton, but is amazingly consistent and good on all types of stages, which is exactly what you&#8217;ll need to win here. She can sprint if she needs to, but you can also count on her to be right there if the race gets harder.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-nienke-veenhoven-visma-lease-a-bike\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Nienke Veenhoven (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-24d52262-9adf-11f1-afb9-67ef785df4c7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Veenhoven already has four wins in 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb638-9a48-11f1-a4eb-978b133f2849\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Nienke Veenhoven comes to this race as one of the more underrated sprinters in the women&#8217;s peloton, but her talents and abilities are clear, with four wins to her name already this year and plenty of top-three finishes rubbing shoulders with the best sprinters.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;ll be relishing the chance to go up against Wiebes on the flatter days and test herself on The Great Orme. Her second place at the Baloise Ladies Tour last month shows that she can put together a good overall in a race like this, too, so she should be a solid contender for the top 10 or five.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-zoe-baeckstedt-canyon-sram\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt (Canyon-SRAM)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-24d522e4-9adf-11f1-8e2c-a1479da7d04d\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">B\u00e4ckstedt will be back in action at home <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Red Bull UK)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb818-9a48-11f1-9a02-0ff69b2cee1a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Lastly, the rider who beat Veenhoven at Baloise, Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt. The lack of time trialling at the Tour of Britain obviously makes it less suited to B\u00e4ckstedt than Baloise, but she&#8217;s handy in the sprints and will have the benefit of racing at home \u2013 very close to home on the Welsh stages, in fact \u2013 meaning she knows the specific difficulties of racing on UK roads.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">B\u00e4ckstedt has usually been seen as more of a Classics rider than a climber, but her heroic efforts on the final stage of the Tour de France Femmes underlined just how strong she is on any type of terrain, and should make her a surefire contender for a solid overall result here.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb8f4-9a48-11f1-800e-5320fa2e1bb0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-euCDgcVYnivMMVb8jc9XTa\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-euCDgcVYnivMMVb8jc9XTa slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes stage winners Lorena Wiebes and Kim Le Court-Pienaar headline star-studded start list for Tour of Britain Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The seven riders from Australia and New Zealand taking to the start line at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ae49AVa8AnMUzphAf4vCDg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ae49AVa8AnMUzphAf4vCDg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ae49AVa8AnMUzphAf4vCDg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ae49AVa8AnMUzphAf4vCDg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ae49AVa8AnMUzphAf4vCDg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">American Criterium Cup: Aline Seitz holds off Skylar Schneider while Justin Williams earns men&#8217;s sprint victory on tight circuit in Salt Lake City<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The Leadville nobody knew&#8217; \u2013 Revised course eliminates final &#8216;gut punch&#8217; of Powerline climb but Columbine and elevation keep you humble<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sn6hGjVFiD66r26MKqkJVV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sn6hGjVFiD66r26MKqkJVV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sn6hGjVFiD66r26MKqkJVV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sn6hGjVFiD66r26MKqkJVV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sn6hGjVFiD66r26MKqkJVV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m certainly not done with this season yet&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering sends warning to her rivals ahead of the World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kYywhcFqEQQMFNcicA8X9m-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kYywhcFqEQQMFNcicA8X9m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kYywhcFqEQQMFNcicA8X9m-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kYywhcFqEQQMFNcicA8X9m-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kYywhcFqEQQMFNcicA8X9m-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Gravel Earth Series: Geerike Schreurs takes solo win as Tobias Kongstad sprints to victory at CORE4<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zR6AkyrkYq99PEAYY7tYHT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zR6AkyrkYq99PEAYY7tYHT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zR6AkyrkYq99PEAYY7tYHT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zR6AkyrkYq99PEAYY7tYHT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zR6AkyrkYq99PEAYY7tYHT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u20188 plugs, 3 Co2 &#8211; still no luck\u2019 \u2013 Rosa Kl\u00f6ser\u2019s Leadville 100 bid ends in a car after tricky acclimatization following Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQeGEhhUHHeQdgZZPzRFtR-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQeGEhhUHHeQdgZZPzRFtR-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQeGEhhUHHeQdgZZPzRFtR-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQeGEhhUHHeQdgZZPzRFtR-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQeGEhhUHHeQdgZZPzRFtR-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Leadville Trail 100 MTB: Melisa Rollins earns second elite women&#8217;s title after epic battle with Cecily Decker<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Previews<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar vs the rest \u2013 Our analysis of the top 10 contenders at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Leadville Trail 100 MTB contenders 2026 &#8211; Can anyone unseat Keegan Swenson and who can take the top spot vacated by Kate Courtney?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ebH6UWz9YrekU3tR2sS5EM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ebH6UWz9YrekU3tR2sS5EM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ebH6UWz9YrekU3tR2sS5EM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ebH6UWz9YrekU3tR2sS5EM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ebH6UWz9YrekU3tR2sS5EM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France runner-up Remco Evenepoel back to racing as Cl\u00e1sica San Sebasti\u00e1n top contender<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LrkJUcq33bAiDvGMxaGmy9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LrkJUcq33bAiDvGMxaGmy9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LrkJUcq33bAiDvGMxaGmy9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LrkJUcq33bAiDvGMxaGmy9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LrkJUcq33bAiDvGMxaGmy9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes 2026 stage 9: One last chance for glory in Nice \u2013 preview<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yrqP2bMcqmjrEMs2QFkf6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yrqP2bMcqmjrEMs2QFkf6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yrqP2bMcqmjrEMs2QFkf6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yrqP2bMcqmjrEMs2QFkf6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yrqP2bMcqmjrEMs2QFkf6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes 2026 stage 8 preview &#8211; Longest stage at 171.9km could end in a mass sprint<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RawbiQZcggVtgk5iLwFfEn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RawbiQZcggVtgk5iLwFfEn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RawbiQZcggVtgk5iLwFfEn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RawbiQZcggVtgk5iLwFfEn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RawbiQZcggVtgk5iLwFfEn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes 2026 stage 7 preview \u2013 Queen stage set to deliver GC fireworks on Mont Ventoux<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S8XBVXkADYwhYuZWL5XML3-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S8XBVXkADYwhYuZWL5XML3-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S8XBVXkADYwhYuZWL5XML3-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S8XBVXkADYwhYuZWL5XML3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tadej Poga\u010dar gets a new teammate for 2027 as UAE Team Emirates-XRG sign Italian all-rounder<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Visma-Lease a Bike to be led by Wout van Aert, Matthew Brennan and Sepp Kuss at Vuelta a Espana<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;A more difficult period&#8217; \u2013 Groupama-FDJ United looks for answers after David Gaudu delivers another DNF at La Polynormande<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s 2026 mountain bike return confirmed with place on World Cup start list at Les Gets<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>American Criterium Cup: Aline Seitz holds off Skylar Schneider while Justin Williams earns men&#8217;s sprint victory on tight circuit in Salt Lake City<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour of Britain Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Lorena Wiebes&#8217; GC chances, opportunist riders and the defending champion \u2013 Tour of Britain Women contenders<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-18T10:52:16Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n18 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">We take a look at the riders set to leave a mark on the 2026 Tour of Britain Women this week<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Ally Wollaston, Lorena Wiebes, Kim Le Court-Pienaar are among the contenders for the Tour of Britain Women<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"0\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid xl:hidden\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Lorena Wiebes &amp; Lotte Kopecky<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Kim Le Court-Pienaar<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Ally Wollaston<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Riejanne Markus &amp; Fleur Moors<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Karlijn Swinkels<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Nienke Veenhoven<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cacba-9a48-11f1-ae47-599c7c868c52\">After the excitement of the Tour de France Femmes, the Women&#8217;s WorldTour continues this week with the Tour of Britain Women, in its new slot in the calendar, moved from June.<\/p>\n<p>Wending its way from Cockermouth to Leamington Spa, the race&#8217;s route is fairly sprinter-friendly again this year, but as usual mixes in the typically lumpy and heavy British roads that are never as flat as they look. The main GC day will come on stage 3 in North Wales, where the peloton will tackle a steep uphill finish atop The Great Orme in Llandudno.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cacba-9a48-11f1-ae47-599c7c868c52-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Is The Great Orme hard enough to put the sprinters out of contention, though? Five years ago at the men&#8217;s race, Wout van Aert beat Julian Alaphilippe and Michael Woods to the top, to give you an idea of its challenges.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That is the big question, and one we won&#8217;t know for sure until Friday, but given the depth of the field and the riders who have won on the Great Orme before, it&#8217;s not impossible that a sprinter could blitz the other stages and survive that climb to win the race overall.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That said, the overall victory in this race will be mainly about consistency: about those riders who can do a little bit of everything, no matter what is thrown at them, and finish in the top 10 on the majority of days.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France Femmes stage winners Lorena Wiebes and Kim Le Court-Pienaar headline star-studded start list for Tour of Britain Women<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A solo raid and a time grab could also be a path to victory, though the number of strong sprint squads on the start list probably counts against the likelihood of that happening.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Despite the proximity to the Tour de France Femmes, the Tour of Britain Women has attracted a really strong line-up this year, with plenty of riders fitting that consistent bill and able to battle for the overall title. Here is our pick of a few of the biggest names to watch in the UK this week.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-euCDgcVYnivMMVb8jc9XTa\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-euCDgcVYnivMMVb8jc9XTa slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-lorena-wiebes-lotte-kopecky-sd-worx-protime\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Lorena Wiebes &amp; Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d5a8-9aea-11f1-bb83-db2a45316f81\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wiebes is fresh off green jersey victory <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65caf26-9a48-11f1-9433-ff79eacfe7a8\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">SD Worx-Protime are coming to the Tour of Britain Women with by far the strongest line-up, and multiple riders who could take the win. Tour green jersey champion Lorena Wiebes will be the pretty much untouchable favourite for any stage that ends in a sprint, which should be at least two of them if not four, particularly given Wiebes&#8217; ability to get over even some pretty difficult hills near the finish line.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Great Orme is obviously her big challenge, and the day that will probably make or break her GC ambitions, but given it&#8217;s only short \u2013 and remembering Wiebes&#8217; mega performance on day one of the Tour \u2013 she would absolutely dominate this stage, too.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If the Welsh climb does turn out to be a little too hard for Wiebes, Lotte Kopecky could step in as a worthy substitute, as in her role as final lead-out for Wiebes she should stay up there in the sprints, so a good finish on the Orme could put her in good stead overall. The Belgian had a fairly quiet Tour de France, but she will have a bigger role at the Tour of Britain Women and should be in a better position to race from the front a bit more.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">The seven riders from Australia and New Zealand taking to the start line at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And as if two favourites weren&#8217;t enough, keep an eye on Mischa Bredewold too. She&#8217;s fast in the sprints and a great, punchy climber, and has the astute racecraft to take any opportunities that come her way. The other teams will be trying to do everything they can to stop SD Worx, but given the riders they have here, I&#8217;m not sure they&#8217;ll be particularly successful.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kim-le-court-pienaar-ag-insurance-soudal\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d62a-9aea-11f1-b8cc-d1069eacc0f0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Le Court-Pienaar won stage 6 in France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb08e-9a48-11f1-8142-55d4584613dd\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another rider who is heading to the UK hot off a brilliant Tour performance is Kim Le Court-Pienaar, who won stage 6 in France and will be eyeing up an overall victory here. The definition of a rider who can do it all, with a remarkably fast sprint for such a good climber, Le Court-Pienaar is well-suited to this week&#8217;s parcours, and if she can stay up there in the first two stages she&#8217;ll have a great chance to go for more over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Mauritian rider will be surrounded by a strong AG Insurance-Soudal line-up that includes Alex Manly and Gladys Verhulst-Wild, and looks primed to be able to make things hard for their rivals, which is exactly what Le Court-Pienaar will need to win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She won&#8217;t win in pure bunch sprints, but if she can whittle the group down or make things challenging in the hills, Le Court-Pienaar has a really good chance of taking not just stage wins but the overall title here.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-ally-wollaston-fdj-united-suez\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Ally Wollaston (FDJ United-SUEZ)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d698-9aea-11f1-9abd-b3dc8c137d4e\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wollaston won the overall last year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb1f6-9a48-11f1-b653-335dd2bafef7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ally Wollaston will start with number one on her back as the defending champion, and rightfully deserves a spot on this list as a solid all-rounder, but the added difficulty of this year&#8217;s parcours means it probably isn&#8217;t quite suited to her as well as last year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The New Zealand rider should do well on the flatter stages, but coming from the Commonwealth Games and track racing, her climbing legs might not be quite where she needs them to tackle the Great Orme. Wollaston loves a race like this, though, and will give it her all to try to defend her jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Keep an eye on Kate Courtney at FDJ as she makes her WorldTour debut. The decorated mountain biker is still discovering where exactly her limitations lie on the road, and she will be going into this race with learning at the front of her mind, but that doesn&#8217;t mean she can&#8217;t get involved with the racing, too, and could definitely pull out a surprise performance.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-riejanne-markus-fleur-moors-lidl-trek\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Riejanne Markus &amp; Fleur Moors (Lidl-Trek)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d7c4-9aea-11f1-b237-67a6f3a14a38\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Markus looked strong at the Tour <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb34a-9a48-11f1-a094-094b7d3ddc20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Similarly to SD Worx, Lidl-Trek come into this race with a whole host of riders who would do well. Clara Copponi is their main sprinter, but they seem to be gambling on some harder finishes, with Classics revelation Fleur Moors certain to light things up in the climbs, and Riejanne Markus a good shout for a solo attack.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Shirin van Anrooij and Margot Vanpachtenbeke are great opportunists, too \u2013 in fact, Lidl-Trek&#8217;s whole team is super strong; it just remains to be seen if they can race the race how they want to, and disrupt the sprints that Wiebes and co will be hoping for.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-karlijn-swinkels-uae-team-l-imad\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d832-9aea-11f1-a705-8d84bf4a0223\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Swinkels took a big Classics win at Trofeo Binda this year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb4bc-9a48-11f1-84c3-fb1438d6c3ce\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">UAE Team L&#8217;Imad are probably the team with the best shot at beating Wiebes in a straight sprint, bringing Lara Gillespie as their main sprinter and one of the few people in the peloton who has even come close to Wiebes this year. However, their overall hopes may come elsewhere, with Karlijn Swinkels (third last year) headlining a strong group of contenders that includes Eleonora Gasparrini and Erica Magnaldi.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Swinkels is perhaps one of the most underrated riders in the peloton, but is amazingly consistent and good on all types of stages, which is exactly what you&#8217;ll need to win here. She can sprint if she needs to, but you can also count on her to be right there if the race gets harder.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-nienke-veenhoven-visma-lease-a-bike\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Nienke Veenhoven (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-24d52262-9adf-11f1-afb9-67ef785df4c7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Veenhoven already has four wins in 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb638-9a48-11f1-a4eb-978b133f2849\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Nienke Veenhoven comes to this race as one of the more underrated sprinters in the women&#8217;s peloton, but her talents and abilities are clear, with four wins to her name already this year and plenty of top-three finishes rubbing shoulders with the best sprinters.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;ll be relishing the chance to go up against Wiebes on the flatter days and test herself on The Great Orme. Her second place at the Baloise Ladies Tour last month shows that she can put together a good overall in a race like this, too, so she should be a solid contender for the top 10 or five.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-zoe-baeckstedt-canyon-sram\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt (Canyon-SRAM)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-24d522e4-9adf-11f1-8e2c-a1479da7d04d\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">B\u00e4ckstedt will be back in action at home <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Red Bull UK)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb818-9a48-11f1-9a02-0ff69b2cee1a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Lastly, the rider who beat Veenhoven at Baloise, Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt. The lack of time trialling at the Tour of Britain obviously makes it less suited to B\u00e4ckstedt than Baloise, but she&#8217;s handy in the sprints and will have the benefit of racing at home \u2013 very close to home on the Welsh stages, in fact \u2013 meaning she knows the specific difficulties of racing on UK roads.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">B\u00e4ckstedt has usually been seen as more of a Classics rider than a climber, but her heroic efforts on the final stage of the Tour de France Femmes underlined just how strong she is on any type of terrain, and should make her a surefire contender for a solid overall result here.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb8f4-9a48-11f1-800e-5320fa2e1bb0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-euCDgcVYnivMMVb8jc9XTa\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-euCDgcVYnivMMVb8jc9XTa slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes stage winners Lorena Wiebes and Kim Le Court-Pienaar headline star-studded start list for Tour of Britain Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The seven riders from Australia and New Zealand taking to the start line at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ae49AVa8AnMUzphAf4vCDg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ae49AVa8AnMUzphAf4vCDg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ae49AVa8AnMUzphAf4vCDg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ae49AVa8AnMUzphAf4vCDg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ae49AVa8AnMUzphAf4vCDg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">American Criterium Cup: Aline Seitz holds off Skylar Schneider while Justin Williams earns men&#8217;s sprint victory on tight circuit in Salt Lake City<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/didDWkuxCx3NhnzuvisdbR-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The Leadville nobody knew&#8217; \u2013 Revised course eliminates final &#8216;gut punch&#8217; of Powerline climb but Columbine and elevation keep you humble<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sn6hGjVFiD66r26MKqkJVV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sn6hGjVFiD66r26MKqkJVV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sn6hGjVFiD66r26MKqkJVV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sn6hGjVFiD66r26MKqkJVV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sn6hGjVFiD66r26MKqkJVV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m certainly not done with this season yet&#8217; \u2013 Demi Vollering sends warning to her rivals ahead of the World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kYywhcFqEQQMFNcicA8X9m-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kYywhcFqEQQMFNcicA8X9m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kYywhcFqEQQMFNcicA8X9m-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kYywhcFqEQQMFNcicA8X9m-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kYywhcFqEQQMFNcicA8X9m-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Gravel Earth Series: Geerike Schreurs takes solo win as Tobias Kongstad sprints to victory at CORE4<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zR6AkyrkYq99PEAYY7tYHT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zR6AkyrkYq99PEAYY7tYHT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zR6AkyrkYq99PEAYY7tYHT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zR6AkyrkYq99PEAYY7tYHT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zR6AkyrkYq99PEAYY7tYHT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u20188 plugs, 3 Co2 &#8211; still no luck\u2019 \u2013 Rosa Kl\u00f6ser\u2019s Leadville 100 bid ends in a car after tricky acclimatization following Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQeGEhhUHHeQdgZZPzRFtR-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQeGEhhUHHeQdgZZPzRFtR-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQeGEhhUHHeQdgZZPzRFtR-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQeGEhhUHHeQdgZZPzRFtR-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQeGEhhUHHeQdgZZPzRFtR-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Leadville Trail 100 MTB: Melisa Rollins earns second elite women&#8217;s title after epic battle with Cecily Decker<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Previews<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vXx3fTTYeYfvhBsZ8FoUhF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar vs the rest \u2013 Our analysis of the top 10 contenders at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yJ5aUr4FYgPPi8KC77ZVcW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Leadville Trail 100 MTB contenders 2026 &#8211; Can anyone unseat Keegan Swenson and who can take the top spot vacated by Kate Courtney?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ebH6UWz9YrekU3tR2sS5EM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ebH6UWz9YrekU3tR2sS5EM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ebH6UWz9YrekU3tR2sS5EM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ebH6UWz9YrekU3tR2sS5EM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ebH6UWz9YrekU3tR2sS5EM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France runner-up Remco Evenepoel back to racing as Cl\u00e1sica San Sebasti\u00e1n top contender<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LrkJUcq33bAiDvGMxaGmy9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LrkJUcq33bAiDvGMxaGmy9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LrkJUcq33bAiDvGMxaGmy9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LrkJUcq33bAiDvGMxaGmy9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LrkJUcq33bAiDvGMxaGmy9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes 2026 stage 9: One last chance for glory in Nice \u2013 preview<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yrqP2bMcqmjrEMs2QFkf6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yrqP2bMcqmjrEMs2QFkf6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yrqP2bMcqmjrEMs2QFkf6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yrqP2bMcqmjrEMs2QFkf6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yrqP2bMcqmjrEMs2QFkf6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes 2026 stage 8 preview &#8211; Longest stage at 171.9km could end in a mass sprint<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RawbiQZcggVtgk5iLwFfEn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RawbiQZcggVtgk5iLwFfEn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RawbiQZcggVtgk5iLwFfEn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RawbiQZcggVtgk5iLwFfEn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RawbiQZcggVtgk5iLwFfEn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France Femmes 2026 stage 7 preview \u2013 Queen stage set to deliver GC fireworks on Mont Ventoux<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S8XBVXkADYwhYuZWL5XML3-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S8XBVXkADYwhYuZWL5XML3-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S8XBVXkADYwhYuZWL5XML3-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S8XBVXkADYwhYuZWL5XML3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tadej Poga\u010dar gets a new teammate for 2027 as UAE Team Emirates-XRG sign Italian 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class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s 2026 mountain bike return confirmed with place on World Cup start list at Les Gets<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>American Criterium Cup: Aline Seitz holds off Skylar Schneider while Justin Williams earns men&#8217;s sprint victory on tight circuit in Salt Lake City<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour of Britain Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Lorena Wiebes&#8217; GC chances, opportunist riders and the defending champion \u2013 Tour of Britain Women contenders<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-18T10:52:16Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n18 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">We take a look at the riders set to leave a mark on the 2026 Tour of Britain Women this week<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cacba-9a48-11f1-ae47-599c7c868c52\">After the excitement of the Tour de France Femmes, the Women&#8217;s WorldTour continues this week with the Tour of Britain Women, in its new slot in the calendar, moved from June.<\/p>\n<p>Wending its way from Cockermouth to Leamington Spa, the race&#8217;s route is fairly sprinter-friendly again this year, but as usual mixes in the typically lumpy and heavy British roads that are never as flat as they look. The main GC day will come on stage 3 in North Wales, where the peloton will tackle a steep uphill finish atop The Great Orme in Llandudno.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cacba-9a48-11f1-ae47-599c7c868c52-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Is The Great Orme hard enough to put the sprinters out of contention, though? Five years ago at the men&#8217;s race, Wout van Aert beat Julian Alaphilippe and Michael Woods to the top, to give you an idea of its challenges.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That is the big question, and one we won&#8217;t know for sure until Friday, but given the depth of the field and the riders who have won on the Great Orme before, it&#8217;s not impossible that a sprinter could blitz the other stages and survive that climb to win the race overall.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That said, the overall victory in this race will be mainly about consistency: about those riders who can do a little bit of everything, no matter what is thrown at them, and finish in the top 10 on the majority of days.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6kaKYska32a4MojE9XapD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France Femmes stage winners Lorena Wiebes and Kim Le Court-Pienaar headline star-studded start list for Tour of Britain Women<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JbdtRhSzSmfnMu7pTobY6T-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Vollering&#8217;s World Championships quest, Courtney&#8217;s WorldTour debut and big transfer intrigue \u2013 Six compelling storylines to follow in women&#8217;s cycling for the rest of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iemamTjEsJtjARAiDGwUDD-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Wide open Tour de Suisse Women as Demi Vollering skips race to prepare for Tour de France Femmes &#8211; Analysing the contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A solo raid and a time grab could also be a path to victory, though the number of strong sprint squads on the start list probably counts against the likelihood of that happening.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Despite the proximity to the Tour de France Femmes, the Tour of Britain Women has attracted a really strong line-up this year, with plenty of riders fitting that consistent bill and able to battle for the overall title. Here is our pick of a few of the biggest names to watch in the UK this week.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-euCDgcVYnivMMVb8jc9XTa\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-euCDgcVYnivMMVb8jc9XTa slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-lorena-wiebes-lotte-kopecky-sd-worx-protime\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Lorena Wiebes &amp; Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d5a8-9aea-11f1-bb83-db2a45316f81\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4dKmo5gvm9j37RZ3onbvL8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wiebes is fresh off green jersey victory <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65caf26-9a48-11f1-9433-ff79eacfe7a8\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">SD Worx-Protime are coming to the Tour of Britain Women with by far the strongest line-up, and multiple riders who could take the win. Tour green jersey champion Lorena Wiebes will be the pretty much untouchable favourite for any stage that ends in a sprint, which should be at least two of them if not four, particularly given Wiebes&#8217; ability to get over even some pretty difficult hills near the finish line.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Great Orme is obviously her big challenge, and the day that will probably make or break her GC ambitions, but given it&#8217;s only short \u2013 and remembering Wiebes&#8217; mega performance on day one of the Tour \u2013 she would absolutely dominate this stage, too.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If the Welsh climb does turn out to be a little too hard for Wiebes, Lotte Kopecky could step in as a worthy substitute, as in her role as final lead-out for Wiebes she should stay up there in the sprints, so a good finish on the Orme could put her in good stead overall. The Belgian had a fairly quiet Tour de France, but she will have a bigger role at the Tour of Britain Women and should be in a better position to race from the front a bit more.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/x2erRPrkRHSd8wS8rNtXkN-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France Femmes contenders \u2013 Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot poised for fantastic duel with Ventoux finale<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zGGKQ8CVaKpYUFXtgyx7CC-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini set to do battle, but super strong rivals could surprise them \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the Giro d&#8217;Italia Women<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oNL5LRQrihiFfcMJAHKNRU-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">The seven riders from Australia and New Zealand taking to the start line at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And as if two favourites weren&#8217;t enough, keep an eye on Mischa Bredewold too. She&#8217;s fast in the sprints and a great, punchy climber, and has the astute racecraft to take any opportunities that come her way. The other teams will be trying to do everything they can to stop SD Worx, but given the riders they have here, I&#8217;m not sure they&#8217;ll be particularly successful.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-kim-le-court-pienaar-ag-insurance-soudal\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d62a-9aea-11f1-b8cc-d1069eacc0f0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QvJmVsGmVH3pLtR7rnskYW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Le Court-Pienaar won stage 6 in France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb08e-9a48-11f1-8142-55d4584613dd\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another rider who is heading to the UK hot off a brilliant Tour performance is Kim Le Court-Pienaar, who won stage 6 in France and will be eyeing up an overall victory here. The definition of a rider who can do it all, with a remarkably fast sprint for such a good climber, Le Court-Pienaar is well-suited to this week&#8217;s parcours, and if she can stay up there in the first two stages she&#8217;ll have a great chance to go for more over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Mauritian rider will be surrounded by a strong AG Insurance-Soudal line-up that includes Alex Manly and Gladys Verhulst-Wild, and looks primed to be able to make things hard for their rivals, which is exactly what Le Court-Pienaar will need to win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She won&#8217;t win in pure bunch sprints, but if she can whittle the group down or make things challenging in the hills, Le Court-Pienaar has a really good chance of taking not just stage wins but the overall title here.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-ally-wollaston-fdj-united-suez\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Ally Wollaston (FDJ United-SUEZ)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d698-9aea-11f1-9abd-b3dc8c137d4e\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zWeqUZRWMeAVm86pE56xZM-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wollaston won the overall last year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb1f6-9a48-11f1-b653-335dd2bafef7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ally Wollaston will start with number one on her back as the defending champion, and rightfully deserves a spot on this list as a solid all-rounder, but the added difficulty of this year&#8217;s parcours means it probably isn&#8217;t quite suited to her as well as last year.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The New Zealand rider should do well on the flatter stages, but coming from the Commonwealth Games and track racing, her climbing legs might not be quite where she needs them to tackle the Great Orme. Wollaston loves a race like this, though, and will give it her all to try to defend her jersey.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Keep an eye on Kate Courtney at FDJ as she makes her WorldTour debut. The decorated mountain biker is still discovering where exactly her limitations lie on the road, and she will be going into this race with learning at the front of her mind, but that doesn&#8217;t mean she can&#8217;t get involved with the racing, too, and could definitely pull out a surprise performance.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-riejanne-markus-fleur-moors-lidl-trek\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Riejanne Markus &amp; Fleur Moors (Lidl-Trek)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d7c4-9aea-11f1-b237-67a6f3a14a38\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PGDKjrbQ9Uyk7j7UWPo5t4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Markus looked strong at the Tour <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb34a-9a48-11f1-a094-094b7d3ddc20\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Similarly to SD Worx, Lidl-Trek come into this race with a whole host of riders who would do well. Clara Copponi is their main sprinter, but they seem to be gambling on some harder finishes, with Classics revelation Fleur Moors certain to light things up in the climbs, and Riejanne Markus a good shout for a solo attack.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Shirin van Anrooij and Margot Vanpachtenbeke are great opportunists, too \u2013 in fact, Lidl-Trek&#8217;s whole team is super strong; it just remains to be seen if they can race the race how they want to, and disrupt the sprints that Wiebes and co will be hoping for.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-karlijn-swinkels-uae-team-l-imad\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e050d832-9aea-11f1-a705-8d84bf4a0223\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VPqZjg7oH8Tnd8pEFSkDNL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Swinkels took a big Classics win at Trofeo Binda this year <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb4bc-9a48-11f1-84c3-fb1438d6c3ce\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">UAE Team L&#8217;Imad are probably the team with the best shot at beating Wiebes in a straight sprint, bringing Lara Gillespie as their main sprinter and one of the few people in the peloton who has even come close to Wiebes this year. However, their overall hopes may come elsewhere, with Karlijn Swinkels (third last year) headlining a strong group of contenders that includes Eleonora Gasparrini and Erica Magnaldi.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Swinkels is perhaps one of the most underrated riders in the peloton, but is amazingly consistent and good on all types of stages, which is exactly what you&#8217;ll need to win here. She can sprint if she needs to, but you can also count on her to be right there if the race gets harder.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-nienke-veenhoven-visma-lease-a-bike\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Nienke Veenhoven (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-24d52262-9adf-11f1-afb9-67ef785df4c7\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/94UjqYVkjxrWfiv9NsxQd7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Veenhoven already has four wins in 2026 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb638-9a48-11f1-a4eb-978b133f2849\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Nienke Veenhoven comes to this race as one of the more underrated sprinters in the women&#8217;s peloton, but her talents and abilities are clear, with four wins to her name already this year and plenty of top-three finishes rubbing shoulders with the best sprinters.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;ll be relishing the chance to go up against Wiebes on the flatter days and test herself on The Great Orme. Her second place at the Baloise Ladies Tour last month shows that she can put together a good overall in a race like this, too, so she should be a solid contender for the top 10 or five.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-zoe-baeckstedt-canyon-sram\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt (Canyon-SRAM)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-24d522e4-9adf-11f1-8e2c-a1479da7d04d\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKPYwTXys5nHGBTjMjRD6H-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">B\u00e4ckstedt will be back in action at home <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Red Bull UK)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb818-9a48-11f1-9a02-0ff69b2cee1a\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Lastly, the rider who beat Veenhoven at Baloise, Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt. The lack of time trialling at the Tour of Britain obviously makes it less suited to B\u00e4ckstedt than Baloise, but she&#8217;s handy in the sprints and will have the benefit of racing at home \u2013 very close to home on the Welsh stages, in fact \u2013 meaning she knows the specific difficulties of racing on UK roads.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">B\u00e4ckstedt has usually been seen as more of a Classics rider than a climber, but her heroic efforts on the final stage of the Tour de France Femmes underlined just how strong she is on any type of terrain, and should make her a surefire contender for a solid overall result here.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b65cb8f4-9a48-11f1-800e-5320fa2e1bb0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>For unbeatable coverage across road, gravel and tech, subscribe to Cyclingnews. You&#8217;ll get comprehensive race coverage of La Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, subscriber-exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/lorena-wiebes-gc-chances-opportunist-riders-and-the-defending-champion-tour-of-britain-women-contenders\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3aE2XmkzSwRAbPJvZHAgx9-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Leadville Trail 100 MTB contenders 2026 &#8211; Can anyone unseat Keegan Swenson and who can take the top spot vacated by Kate Courtney? 2 From the dominant to the anonymous \u2013\u00a0Rating every team&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes performance 3 Eight things we learnt from a spellbinding edition of the Tour de [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2100726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2100726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2100726"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2100726\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2100726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2100726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2100726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}