As it happened: Surprise winner storms to victory in chaotic finale to La Vuelta Femenina stage 2

Shari Bossuyt claimed a stunning and unexpected victory in a dramatic sprint finish on stage 2 of La Vuelta Femenina 2026. The Belgian rider from AG Insurance-Soudal powered past the competition despite a chaotic finale that saw several crashes and tactical attacks in the closing kilometres. Franziska Koch of FDJ United-Suez took second place and, with the withdrawal of race leader Noemi Rüegg following a crash, assumed the overall race lead. Bossuyt’s triumph marks the biggest win of her career to date, eliciting an emotional response at the finish line. The stage itself was marked by aggressive racing and multiple attacks throughout the day, with teams vying to control the peloton on a challenging 109.8km route. A series of crashes disrupted the race, most notably involving the red and white jersey holders Rüegg and Eleonora Ciabocco, which had a significant impact on the general classification. Despite these setbacks, Koch’s consistent performance allowed her to take over the leader’s red jersey, as well as the points classification, highlighting her rising form this season. AG Insurance-Soudal enjoyed a double success as Lore De Schepper secured the white jersey for the best young rider, adding to the team’s growing accolades. Meanwhile, Maeva Squiban retained the polka-dot jersey for the mountains classification after a relatively safe day without any King of the Mountains points available. The stage’s conclusion also featured a contentious sprint, where Bossuyt managed to hold her line despite a late and somewhat erratic lead-out from Lotte Kopecky, who lost momentum after bumping into Bossuyt. Looking ahead, the race moves into what is expected to be a sprinters’ stage, with a 121.2km route from Padrón to A Coruña that offers fewer opportunities for climbers or breakaways. Koch will aim to consolidate her overall lead and continue her impressive run, while sprinters will be eager to take advantage of the flatter terrain. The unpredictable nature of the race so far suggests that the coming stages will remain fiercely competitive and open to surprises.