'It was a dream to win this stage' - Paula Blasi dethrones Anna van der Breggen to win La Vuelta Femenina 2026 as Petra Stiasny conquers L'Angliru on stage 7

Swiss climber Petra Stiasny delivered a stunning performance on the brutal slopes of L’Angliru to claim victory on stage 7 of La Vuelta Femenina 2026. Stiasny, riding for Human Powered Health, timed her effort perfectly, overtaking overall leader Paula Blasi in the final kilometre to secure the biggest win of her career. Blasi, representing UAE Team ADQ, finished second on the stage, 23 seconds behind Stiasny, while Juliette Berthet of FDJ United-SUEZ took third. Defending champion Anna van der Breggen, who had held the red jersey going into the stage, faded in the closing kilometres and crossed the line in fifth, nearly a minute behind the winner. Blasi’s second-place finish on the day was enough to secure her the overall title, marking a significant milestone in what has been a breakthrough season for the young Spaniard. She had entered the final stage with a slender eight-second lead over van der Breggen, who had won the previous day’s penultimate stage. However, the punishing gradients of L’Angliru, which exceed 20% in places, proved too much for the former world champion. Marion Bunel of Visma-Lease a Bike completed the podium, finishing third overall after a strong ride on the final climb. Stiasny described the victory as a dream come true, expressing her long-held admiration for the Angliru climb and her joy at conquering one of cycling’s toughest ascents. The 24-year-old admitted she was overwhelmed by the win, having previously only one professional victory to her name. Her measured pacing and ability to exploit the steepest sections of the climb underlined her climbing prowess and tactical acumen. Meanwhile, Blasi praised her team’s efforts throughout the race, acknowledging the physical toll of six days of intense racing but highlighting the collective support that helped her secure the overall triumph. The final stage unfolded as a dramatic showdown on one of the most feared climbs in professional cycling, with the race favourites jostling for position from the outset. A breakaway group established an early lead, but the relentless pace and steep gradients gradually whittled down the contenders. Key attacks from riders like Gaia Realini and Stiasny fragmented the peloton, and it was the well-timed moves in the last five kilometres that ultimately decided the outcome. Van der Breggen’s inability to respond to these accelerations signalled a changing of the guard in women’s cycling, with Blasi and Stiasny emerging as new forces on the mountainous terrain. This edition of La Vuelta Femenina has showcased the emergence of fresh talent and the enduring challenge posed by iconic climbs like L’Angliru. Blasi’s overall victory cements her status as one of the sport’s rising stars, while Stiasny’s breakthrough stage win hints at a promising future for the Swiss climber. The race’s conclusion also