Can FDJ United-SUEZ defend their title without Demi Vollering? – Analysing the contenders for La Vuelta Femenina 2026

As La Vuelta Femenina prepares to tackle its most challenging route yet, the absence of two-time defending champion Demi Vollering opens the door for a fresh set of contenders to vie for the title. The race, running from May 3 to May 9 and culminating on the demanding Alto de l'Angliru, promises a fierce competition among riders who are either targeting this event as their main goal or using it as preparation for the Tour de France Femmes. Early season performances in WorldTour stage races like the Tour Down Under and UAE Tour offer some insight into form, but the unpredictable nature of the race leaves room for surprises. FDJ United-SUEZ, despite losing Vollering to the Giro d’Italia, remains a formidable force with Juliette Berthet and Évita Muzic stepping up as their leading contenders. Both riders have demonstrated consistent top-10 finishes in previous editions of La Vuelta Femenina, often in support roles for Vollering, but now poised to lead. Berthet’s steady performances and recent strong showing at Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes underline her readiness, while Muzic’s climbing prowess, highlighted by a stage win atop La Laguna Negra in 2024, makes her a serious threat on this year’s mountainous course. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, fresh off her 2025 Tour de France Femmes victory, is another key rider to watch. After a disrupted campaign last year, she has shown promising form this season with podium finishes at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Whether La Vuelta Femenina is her primary target or a stepping stone remains uncertain, but her versatility and experience make her a contender. Her teammate Femke de Vries, who has recently demonstrated strong climbing ability and stage race potential, could either continue in a support role or emerge as a protected rider depending on team strategy. Liv AlUla Jayco enters the race without former leader Mavi García but with Monica Trinca Colonel as their designated contender. Trinca Colonel’s seventh-place finish in last year’s Vuelta and solid performances early this season, including at the UAE Tour, have earned her the team’s full backing. The Italian rider’s consistency and climbing strength position her well to challenge for a high overall placing, signalling that Liv AlUla Jayco remains competitive despite personnel changes. With a demanding route and no clear favourite following Vollering’s absence, La Vuelta Femenina 2026 is shaping up to be an open and fiercely contested race. Teams with multiple potential leaders may adopt flexible tactics, while individual riders will need to seize their moment on the brutal ascents. The final start list is yet to be confirmed, but the depth of talent and strategic complexity promise an exciting battle for the red jersey.