Liane Lippert steps up to lead Movistar at Vuelta Femenina in Marlen Reusser's absence – but what can the home team achieve?

Movistar faces a significant reshuffle ahead of the Vuelta Femenina as Marlen Reusser, last year’s runner-up and a key general classification contender, is sidelined due to injury. Reusser, who had targeted the Vuelta as her main goal for 2026, suffered a fractured vertebra following a crash at the Tour of Flanders, forcing her to miss the race and delaying her return to competitive form. Her absence leaves Movistar without their primary GC hopeful, compelling the team to appoint Liane Lippert as their new leader for the Spanish Grand Tour. Lippert, a strong climber known more for her punchy stage performances than overall classification ambitions, will spearhead Movistar’s campaign alongside teammates Mareille Meijer, Arlenis Sierra, Tota Magalhães, Sara Martín, Lucía Ruiz, and Aude Biannic. The squad blends experience with youthful potential and is expected to pursue stage victories rather than a podium finish. While Lippert has achieved top-10 results in climbing stage races, she has yet to prove herself in a Grand Tour setting, and her recent spring results suggest she is still building form ahead of the Vuelta. The race route, featuring predominantly punchy stages with limited flat terrain and mountainous finales, offers multiple opportunities for Movistar to target stage wins. Arlenis Sierra is positioned as a valuable lead-out and sprint option in larger group finishes, while Mareille Meijer could emerge as a dark horse capable of excelling on the tougher stages. Despite the setback of losing Reusser, Movistar remains motivated to make a strong impression on home soil, aiming to capitalise on their squad’s versatility and the race profile to secure victories. Although the team’s initial aspirations for a podium or overall victory have been tempered by Reusser’s injury, Movistar’s focus has shifted to achieving success through individual stage results. The Vuelta Femenina presents a chance for Lippert and her teammates to gain momentum and demonstrate resilience in a highly competitive field. With the racing format allowing for multiple chances to shine, the Spanish outfit will look to leverage their collective strengths and home advantage to leave a mark on the 2026 edition.