As it happened: A surprise late solo move takes the win in stage 3 of the Vuelta Femenina

Cedrine Kerbaol of EF Education-Oatly secured a remarkable solo victory on stage three of the 2026 La Vuelta Femenina, held in A Coruna, Spain. The French rider launched a late, decisive attack that outpaced the sprinters and left the peloton unable to mount an effective chase. Kerbaol’s move came in the closing kilometres, allowing her to cross the line alone, with Lotte Kopecky of SD Worx-Protime and Sarah Van Dam completing the podium in second and third respectively. The stage featured a challenging route with multiple climbs and a technical finale, including cobbled sections and several roundabouts, which contributed to a dynamic race. EF Education-Oatly’s aggressive tactics played a pivotal role throughout the day, with teammates Kristen Faulkner and Alice Towers also making significant attacks before Kerbaol’s winning move. The team’s strategy contrasted with the more structured approach of rivals such as SD Worx-Protime, who despite having numerical superiority in the finale, were unable to respond effectively. Franziska Koch of FDJ United-SUEZ continued to defend the red jersey, finishing 15th and maintaining her overall lead despite a tough day on the climbs. However, her teammate Juliette Berthet lost time, dropping down the general classification, while Évita Muzic remains close to the top. The stage’s outcome has added intrigue to the overall battle, with time gaps beginning to open and the potential for breakaways to succeed in upcoming stages. Looking ahead, stage four will see the peloton tackle a 115.3km route between Monforte de Lemos and Antas De Ulla, featuring more climbing but with the possibility of a reduced bunch sprint or a successful breakaway. EF Education-Oatly’s bold and unconventional tactics have already yielded two stage wins in this edition, signalling their intent to remain aggressive and unpredictable as the race progresses. Meanwhile, teams like SD Worx-Protime will be eager to regroup and counter the late attacks that have so far thwarted their dominance.