Petra Stiasny ascends to glory in 'my happy place' Alto de L'Angliru at La Vuelta Femenina

Petra Stiasny claimed a memorable victory on the final stage of La Vuelta Femenina 2026, conquering the notorious Alto de L'Angliru to secure her first WorldTour win. The 24-year-old Swiss climber, representing Human Powered Health, broke away from rival Paula Blasi to cross the summit alone, fulfilling a long-held ambition on a climb she described as her "happy place." Stiasny’s triumph marked a significant milestone after several seasons of setbacks, including crashes and time losses, that had previously hindered her progress. Stiasny’s connection to the Angliru was clear well before the race began, having eagerly anticipated the inclusion of the climb in the Vuelta route. She revealed that the stage had been circled on her calendar since its announcement, and she approached the day with a sense of freedom and confidence that had eluded her in past races. Despite a challenging week where she was dropped on multiple stages, Stiasny avoided crashes and arrived at the final climb ready to perform at her best, describing the experience as both beautiful and liberating. Her journey to this point has been one of steady development, having transitioned from swimming, athletics, and triathlon to road cycling only in 2020. Although she showed promise early on, including a 22nd place overall finish in the 2022 Giro d’Italia, her progress was often disrupted by crashes and difficulties staying with the peloton in early race stages. Standing just 160cm tall and weighing 43kg, Stiasny’s lightweight physique suits her climbing style, but her perseverance has been key to overcoming the challenges she faced in stage races. The victory on the Angliru not only highlights Stiasny’s climbing prowess but also signals her arrival among the elite in women’s cycling. Her ability to maintain composure and strength on such a demanding climb bodes well for her future ambitions in the WorldTour circuit. Meanwhile, Paula Blasi’s overall win in La Vuelta Femenina was secured with a remarkable turnaround on the final day, underscoring the dramatic and competitive nature of the race’s conclusion. Stiasny’s breakthrough performance adds an exciting new chapter to the season’s narrative and sets the stage for further battles in the mountains ahead.