'It started steep and it finished steep' – Anna van der Breggen wins stage six of La Vuelta Femenina during the brutal final climb, to take the Red Jersey into the final day

Anna van der Breggen claimed a commanding victory on stage six of La Vuelta Femenina, conquering the punishing final climb of Les Praeres to take the Red Jersey with an 18-second lead heading into the race’s decisive last day. The 106.5-kilometre mountain stage, which featured relentless gradients averaging 13.4% and peaking at 27%, proved a stern test for the peloton. Van der Breggen, despite still feeling the effects of a crash from the previous day, demonstrated her experience and strength by breaking away early on the ascent and maintaining her advantage to the finish line. The day’s racing was marked by deteriorating weather conditions, with heavy rain making the roads slippery and visibility poor, contributing to multiple crashes and a thinning peloton. Only a select group of around 40 riders remained as they approached the brutal climb of Les Praeres, a route new to the women’s race but previously featured in the men’s La Vuelta. Van der Breggen’s closest challengers were Paula Blasi of UAE Team ADQ and Marion Bunel from Visma–Lease a Bike, who both rode impressively but could not match the Dutch rider’s pace on the steep gradients. Van der Breggen described the stage as a relentless battle from start to finish, noting the challenge of recovering from her earlier crash while tackling such a demanding climb. Her victory was a testament to her resilience and tactical acumen, particularly as she chose not to pre-ride the climb, embracing the uncertainty with enthusiasm. Blasi, a rising star who recently transitioned from duathlon to cycling, continued her strong season with a solid second place, while Bunel rounded out the podium in third. With the general classification now tightly poised, the final stage promises to be a thrilling conclusion to La Vuelta Femenina. The penultimate leader Van der Breggen will face a daunting 133-kilometre course culminating in the iconic and even more severe ascent of L’Angliru. This ultimate challenge offers an open battlefield where the overall victory remains very much in contention, setting the stage for a dramatic finale to the race.