The countdown to the first grand tour of the women's cycling season is officially on. La Vuelta Femenina returns in 2026 with a grueling seven-stage route through northern Spain, and this year's race is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable editions yet.

For the first time in three years, the peloton won't have to contend with two-time defending champion Demi Vollering. The Dutch powerhouse, fresh off a dominant spring campaign that included wins at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, La Flèche Wallonne, the Tour of Flanders, and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, has opted to skip the Vuelta. That leaves the red jersey wide open—and the chasing pack hungry.

Dutch riders have owned this race since 2021, with Annemiek van Vleuten and Vollering trading wins. This year, all eyes are on veteran Anna van der Breggen, who finished third in 2025 and looks primed to keep the streak alive. But she'll face stiff competition from 2025 Tour de France Femmes winner Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and Vollering's own teammate Juliette Berthet, who placed fifth last year. With no time trials and only one flat stage on the 2026 route, expect relentless climbing and bold attacks from start to finish.

The action kicks off Sunday, May 3, and runs through Saturday, May 9, with all seven stages winding through northwest Spain—from the rolling hills of Galicia to the legendary summit finish at L'Angliru. The final stage is also the longest, a 132-kilometer (82-mile) grind from Pola de Laviana.

If you're ready to follow every pedal stroke, here's how to watch: La Vuelta Femenina 2026 won't air on traditional broadcast TV, but you can stream every stage live on Peacock. Coverage start times vary by day, so mark your calendar and get ready for a week of world-class racing.