Tour of Flanders Women LIVE – The day’s break is caught and a group of favourites lead into the final 40km
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2026-04-05T15:52:57.066Z
Vollering wins, with Ferrand-Prévot in second place and Pieterse in third.
The secind coonsecutive year the French woman has been runner up.
2026-04-05T15:51:35.622Z
Vollering wins! The victory made on the Oude Kwaremont
Vollering wins!
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T15:49:38.836Z
Nothing is really changing behind Vollering and she’ll take 50 seconds into the the final 2km, while Longo Borghini’s chase group is 19 seconds further back.
2026-04-05T15:47:56.660Z
Vollering’s lead is now out to 50 seconds, everyone is riding strongly, but Vollering is strongest. Surely all she needs to do is stay on her bike to take the win?
5km to go
2026-04-05T15:45:36.234Z
The wind is a cross tailwind, still approaching 30km/h, which minimises the effect of drafting in a group, this will help Vollering, but also Pieterse and Ferrand-Prévot, who have 15 seconds on the chasing group. Longo Borghini is STILL leading that group.
2026-04-05T15:42:15.401Z
While Vollering seems comfortable at the front, her pedal stroke strong and smooth, Ferrand-Prévot and Pieterse look to be struggling and the chasing group is clawing them back. Once in the tailwind section they may be able to stay away though.
2026-04-05T15:40:03.016Z
Vollering is back into Berchem leading Pieterse and Ferrand-Prévot by 37 seconds.
Vollering will cross the Schelde river here, then right right, east, and ride with a tailwind back to Oudenaarde.
10km to go
2026-04-05T15:37:44.505Z
Team work and repeated attacks seem to have made the day for Vollering.
Off the Paterberg she leads Pieterse and Ferrand-Prévot by 27 seconds, while a lerger chasing group is a few seconds back.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T15:33:42.159Z
The final climb, it’s cobbled, short but hideously steep. Vollering leads by 24 seconds as she hits the cobbles.
Paterberg
2026-04-05T15:32:25.686Z
On the tarmac st the top of the Oude Kwaremont Vollering leads Pieterse and Ferrand-Prévot by 20 seconds. 10 seconds further back Longo Borghini leads the chase with Swinkels, Persico Kopecky and Zoe Backstedt (Canyon-SRAM-zondacrypto) is also there, the Brit coming into her own.
2026-04-05T15:28:50.291Z
Now Vollering is alone at the front, the chasers are alone with their efforts, Ferrand-Prévot, Pieterse then Kopecky. We’re through Kwaremont village and almost off the cobbles.
It doesn’t seem as though Kopecky will defend her title.
2026-04-05T15:26:52.279Z
On the cobbles Vollering goes very hard, only Ferrand-Prévot is anywhere near, this is the decisive move, surely?
Attack!
2026-04-05T15:25:49.851Z
As the road begins to slope gently upwards ahead of the steep cobbled sections, Koch comes back to lead out Vollering. Pieterse is watching her like a hawk!
2026-04-05T15:24:19.798Z
In Berchem riders take a gel and a drink. Oude Kwaremont is hard, 1500m average 4% but with some brutal ramps.
Lieke Nooijen is leading for her Visma-Lease a Bike team mate, Ferrand-Prévot.
20km – Towards the Kawremont
2026-04-05T15:21:42.160Z
We’re descending the Nieuwe Kwaremont on tarmac down the Berchem now. Hereto race will turn right and head towards the cobbled Oude Kwaremont, our penultimate climb.
Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx) attacked, but has been caught.
2026-04-05T15:19:38.132Z
UAE Team ADQ have missed this group and are working hard to chase it down, Longo Borghini, Karlijn Swinkels and Silvia Persico have dragged it back on the Ronde van Vlaanderen Straat.
Othr are with them so this changes the complexion of the race – Again!
2026-04-05T15:16:07.180Z
There’s little in the way of cooperation in the leading group. Only Vollering and Ferrand-Prévot have taken a turn.
As the chasers get on Vollering attacks, taking Pieterse with her, though Kopecky drags it back and the same five women lead, racing past the old windmill at the top of the Hotond.
2026-04-05T15:12:04.069Z
Close the end of the cobbles Koch takes over, leading a small group away.
Vollering, Kopecky, Ferrand-Prévot, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premer Tech) lead the race.
2026-04-05T15:10:26.855Z
We’re in Ronse now, the Oude Kruisberg/Hotond climbs out of the town, the road starting on typical Belgian concrete surface before turning to cobbles. Chabbey is on the front with a huge effort again.
2026-04-05T15:09:02.504Z
FDJ United-SUEZ have bossed the race wince before the Koppenberg. Célia Gery win particular has driven the race hard. She’s still on the front after this effort on the Taaienberg.
Célia Gery (FDJ United-SUEZ) leads the race on the Taaienberg during the 2026 Tour of Flanders Women. (Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T15:05:30.043Z
There’ll be no rest but there is time for riders to catch their breath before the next climb.
The Oude Kruisberg/Hotond comes with 27km to go and is an odd one. The Kruisberg is cobbled and narrow, while the Hotond is just a tarmacced and wide continuation, dragging on and on.
In total it’s 2.7km avarage of 4.1%, but harder than it sounds.
30km to go
2026-04-05T15:01:32.751Z
I spoke too soon, Bredewold is back to help Kopecky, but FDJ are keeping the pace incredibly high.
2026-04-05T14:58:52.824Z
Chabbey leads her FDJ team onto the cobbles, while riders are dropping. Pfeiffer Georgi (Pinic-PostNL) and Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx) are the first two to go, while Millie Couzens (Fenix-Premier Tech) is also distanced.
As defending champion, Kopecky is now isloated in the leading group.
2026-04-05T14:55:41.659Z
Taaienberg is the next climb. Another cobbled berg it’s a tough climb, though a tailwind will make it slightly easier. Expect more attacks here, FDJ have number is this group and will look to thin it down.
2026-04-05T14:51:59.650Z
FDJ are in control on the cobbles of the Maria Borrestraat, but the leading group comprises around 20 women, with plenty of teams represented.
40km
2026-04-05T14:47:53.710Z
Vollering and Koch lead over the top, but she has a large group with her. They include Elisa Longo Borghini andZoe Backstedt (UAE) Letizia Paternoster (Liv-Alula-JAyco), Kopecky, Ferrand-Prévot (Visma-Lease a Bike) and others.
They being chased but will the pursuers get back on before the Taaienberg?
2026-04-05T14:43:44.198Z
On the climb and Franziska Koch (FDJ Untied SUEZ) is doing her thing and leading for Vollering. You can lose so much time here you’ll never see the front of the race.
2026-04-05T14:41:53.060Z
There’s a real fight to be close to the front four this climb, with it so hard and set to cause riders so many problems, it’s vital for the favourites to be at the front.
Kolesava leads by 35 seconds.
There’s been a sickening crash in the lead in, with Reusser affected, among others.
2026-04-05T14:38:04.201Z
Don’t expect Kolesava to survive the Koppenberg, it’s brutal and invites attacks.
The cobbles alone are some of the toughest of the day and while it’s only 600m, it averages 11.6%, though it’s steepest ramp is 22%. It’s very narrow too.
Let’s hope it’s dry now as riders will be walking. If you stop you’ll really struggle to remount.
2026-04-05T14:35:34.219Z
Kolesava leads the peloton by only 42 seconds heading on the flat road to the base of the Koppenberg.
50km to go
2026-04-05T14:34:26.183Z
The climb made its mark on the breakaway too, with Kolesava alone at the front. It’s a hugely brave ride from the Canyon-SRAM-zondacrypto rider who was struggling earlier in the race.
2026-04-05T14:32:38.585Z
The Eikenberg has made its mark. Not only is the breakaway’s advantage down, the peloton is scrambling to stay together, a number of riders dropped under the pressure of FDJ United-SUEZ and their Swiss rider, Elise Chabbey.
Her leader Demi Vollering moves to the front. We’re racing for position on the Koppenberg now.
2026-04-05T14:29:43.383Z
A nasty looking crash for Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ), she’s one of er team’s strongest engines and is unlikely to rejoin the race.
2026-04-05T14:28:04.361Z
Onto the Eikenberg.
It’s yet another cobbled climb, 1200m long and 5.2% average gradient, though it ramps up to 10%.
Wrezin, Kolesava, Beekhuis and Von Berswordt lead by 1.32.
2026-04-05T14:25:06.529Z
The climbs and cobbles come thick and fast now. Next up is the Eikenberg which comes at 52.5km to go. It signals the beginning of the end, with the Koppenberg coming soon after and a series of tough challenges where the race will be made.
2026-04-05T14:24:01.553Z
Marlen Reusser’s attack on the Molenberg put the cat among the pigeons and will have hurt plenty of her rivals, even if the race came back together.
Marlen Reusser (Movistar) attacks on the Molenberg during the 2026 Tour of Flanders Women (Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T14:18:02.861Z
The race has eased slightly. Some attacks are coming from what is a large bunch, but they’re being closed down as the breakaway’s lead has settled around the two minute mark.
60km remaining
2026-04-05T14:11:15.699Z
With the gap under two minutes and the wind howling across the open fields, some riders are looking to attack, but nothing is sticking
2026-04-05T14:07:56.625Z
Not only do you need to be strong in Flanders, but you also need to be switched on at all times. Position and course knowledge are so important.
Next up is the tarmacced Marlboroughstraat.
2026-04-05T14:05:08.799Z
Reusser’s move threatened to split the race and a small group did form, though the race has re-formed as they stream over the open fields at the top.
The gap is only 2.10 though!
2026-04-05T14:03:20.225Z
The break is over the Molenberg, but the bunch is frantic, fighting for the tight turn into the bottom. After winning Dwars Door Vlaanderen in midweek, Marlen Reusser led onto the cobbles and is flying!
2026-04-05T14:01:30.400Z
The MOlenberg is 463m at and average gradient of 7%. It’s cobbled and brutal. Kolesava is making light work of it though, gliding over the stones.
2026-04-05T13:59:43.517Z
The pace is frighteningly fast in the peloton now, it will be important to be at or near the front when they hit the Molenberg. It’s a cliche, but there are so many points on the Flanders course where the race can be lost.
The lead for Wrezin, Kolesava, Beekhuis and Von Berswordt is now only 2.50.
70km to go
2026-04-05T13:57:04.916Z
The breakaway worked well throughout the day, but the pace is up and they’re slipping back one by one.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T13:54:49.704Z
More cobbles! It’s relentless! It’s Jagerij now. This one’s flat and only 600m, but the tough gets going very soon, with the Molenberg only just up the road.
2026-04-05T13:51:53.505Z
Yonna van Dam was in the breakaway at In Flanders Fields last week, but has just been dropped from the leading group. Mrugal is slipping back too, so now only Wrezin, Kolesava, Beekhuis and Von Berswordt are at the front, 4 minutes ahead of the bunch.
2026-04-05T13:49:26.020Z
The leaders are on cobbled sector number four, Kerkgate is 1400m in length but is very slightly uphill, quite unpleasant!
In the bunch Visma-Lease a Bike, UAE Team ADQ and SD Worx are doing the work. Movistar have been up there, but one of their key strongwomen, Aude Biannic just suffered a small crash.
2026-04-05T13:43:24.415Z
The leading group are over the Wolvenberg now, while the bunch have just ridden out of Oudenaarde with the gap coming down again.
80km to race
2026-04-05T13:39:38.816Z
One of the many complications of racing in Belgium is the road furniture and it’s caused a huge crash in the peloton, a number of riders coming down after someone hit a partition bollard.
Former French champion, Victoire Berteau (Cofidis) is one of those affected.
2026-04-05T13:36:45.652Z
The breakaway are now heading through the start and finish town of Oudenaarde before the first climb, the Wolvenberg, just outside town.
We’re now getting into the meat of the race and the peloton will need to take some time out of the leaders.
2026-04-05T13:32:20.234Z
As we mentioned earlier, thawing is blowing very hard out there and now it’s in the face of the riders the pace has really dropped, which is why the gap has grown so much.
Over six minutes now, such a gap is not a common thing.
2026-04-05T13:28:16.840Z
All change at the front now.
Wrezin, Van Dam, Kolesava, Beekhuis, Mrugal and Von Berswordt now lead the peloton by well over five minutes, while Blanco, Seynave have been dropped by the break.
90km to go
2026-04-05T13:25:28.493Z
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2026-04-05T13:23:57.134Z
As a three time winner Lotte Kopecky started today as one of the favourites.
Bad luck meant she had a slightly rocky start to the season, but she’s had two big wins so far.
First she won at at Nokere Koerse then
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) wins the 2026 edition of Milan-Sanremo Women. (Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T13:16:44.844Z
The day’s first climb is not too far away now, so expect the peloton to become increasingly interested and increasingly quick.
It’s the Wolvenberg, which starats with 82km to go. It’s not a cobbled climb, but it has a maximum gradient of 17%!
It’s only short though, 645m averaging 7.9%.
2026-04-05T13:13:42.863Z
After the Lippenhovenstraat and Paddestraat one-two the gap is coming down as predicted, the peloton are now only 3.41 down.
We’re told the leading quartet is Kolesava, Beekhuis, Mrugal and Von Berswordt, NOT Blanco, Seynave, Wrezin and Van Dam, who are the secnd group, still just over 30 seconds down.
100km to go!
2026-04-05T13:08:37.062Z
Paddestraat now! This one is slightly longer and slightly down hill and clearly not the favourite place for Kolesava, who’s struggling to hold on.
2026-04-05T13:05:00.216Z
Onto the Lipphovenstraat! It’s flat and about 1300m in length.
The peloton are now 4.08 behind the leaders.
2026-04-05T13:02:11.216Z
The cobbled Lipphovenstraat is coming in the next few kilometres, by the end of that and the Paddestraat there’s little down our two groups will still be leading, but we could see their advantage beginning to drop as the fight for position comes in the peloton.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T12:54:49.767Z
As it stands Blanco, Seynave, Wrezin and Van Dam continue to lead
Kolesava, Beekhuis, Mrugal and Von Berswordt by 35 seconds.
Meanwhile the peloton has really let the gap grow out and they now trail the leaders by 4.35!
110km left to race
2026-04-05T12:51:28.701Z
American and Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner is racing in Europe for the first time this season.
She’s hopes her EF Education-Oatly team can get a result today by being “a little sneaky.”
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T12:46:14.791Z
This race and the sport at this time of year are known for cobbles and the Lange Munte was today’s first stretch for the peloton.
The peloton tackle the cobbles of the Lange Munte during the 2026 Tour of Flanders Women (Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T12:42:49.300Z
We’re getting reports of a crash for Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime). She’s back up and in the bunch, but almost every crash hurts so this could affect the team’s strategy, though of course, they still have Lotte Kopecky.
2026-04-05T12:37:58.186Z
A weather update for you, the wind remains at almost 30km/h from the west. this is plenty strong enough to affect the race, but the route is such that you never go in one direction long enough for echelons to really break the race.
2026-04-05T12:33:10.121Z
Our two breakaway groups remain 35 seconds apart, while the peloton are now 2.20 behind the front of the race.
We have two breakaways!
125km to go
2026-04-05T12:29:19.525Z
The next obstacle for the race is the one-two cobbled sectors of Lipphovenstraat and Paddestraat. The first of those comes after 59.7km, so we have a way to go just yet.
2026-04-05T12:25:35.003Z
With the Lange Munte behind us Blanco, Seynave, Wrezin and Van Dam (Citymech-Customm) lead the second group of
Kolesava, Beekhuis, Mrugal and Von Berswordt by 35 seconds with the peloton a further minute behind.
2026-04-05T12:21:58.856Z
Off the first cobbles
2026-04-05T12:21:33.151Z
We have two groups off the front.
Iurani Blanco (Human Powered Health)
Ilken Seynave (Lotto-Intermarché)
Caroline Wrezin (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93)
Yonna van Dam (Citymech-Customm)
lead the buch by 10 seconds while
Anastasiya Kolesava (Canyon-SRAM-zondacrypto)
Teuntje Beekhuis (UNO-X Mobility)
Alison Mrugal (Mayenne-Monbana-My Pie)
Sophie von Berswordt (VolkerWessels)
2026-04-05T12:18:34.403Z
There’s a confused picture from the race at the moment, though we’re sure four women lead with a small gap.
30km raced
2026-04-05T12:10:21.978Z
Our leading group is comprised of:
Anastasiya Kolesava (Canyon-SRAM-zondacrypto)
Teuntje Beekhuis (UNO-X Mobility)
Alison Mrugal (Mayenne-Monbana-My Pie)
Sophie von Berswordt (VolkerWessels)
2026-04-05T12:04:58.464Z
We’ve had a few moves off the front but only now has anything stuck, we have four women with a small gap.
20km raced!
2026-04-05T12:01:53.871Z
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is one of the superstars of cycle sport, with world titles across the disciplines.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T11:55:40.971Z
The first of six cobbled sectors is the Lange Munte which comes after 29.3km. There are nine climbs too, the Wolvenberg, which opens the climbing after 82km, is one of only two bergs which is on tarmac, making the remaining seven very challenging indeed.
2026-04-05T11:51:12.917Z
Despite plenty of attacking at the front of the race, the peloton is still together.
154km left to race
2026-04-05T11:50:09.938Z
Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) has proved herself over and again as not only the best sprinter but one of the world’s best riders.
Even if she doesn’t win today she can still have an influence on the race, she thinks so, saying “I can give others some pressure.”
Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) before the 2026 edition of the Tour of Flanders Women (Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T11:43:37.666Z
The fight is already on for the breakaway!
American rider Heidi Franz (St Michel – Preference Home) attacks the front of the 2026 Tour of Flanders Women (Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T11:38:26.304Z
As for the weather, it’s reasonably warm, with highs of 12ºC some light rain and high winds up to almost 30k/mh. That’ll be a tailwind on the final few kilometres, ideal for a breakaway.
2026-04-05T11:35:59.609Z
The race is on!
164.1km to go!
2026-04-05T11:31:29.432Z
One woman who could have a major influence on today’s race is Franziska Koch, the German champion who moved to FDJ United-SUEZ this year to support Demi Vollering.
German champion Franziska Koch (FDJ United-SUEZ) during the 2026 Dwars Door Vlaanderen (Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T11:28:37.748Z
While the first edition of the race in 2004, won by Zulfiya Zabirova, covered only 94km, this year we’ve got 164.1km, with plenty of cobbles and bergs on the menu.
2026-04-05T11:26:29.226Z
Here we go! We’re rolling for 2.9km of neutral, riding out through Bevere before we finally get racing!
2026-04-05T11:23:53.628Z
Kopecky might be the the record winner, but when she took her first title back in 2022 she was only the second Belgian to win the country’s most iconic race, with Grace Verbeke taking the honours way back in 2010.
2026-04-05T11:22:24.884Z
Double winners include Mirjam Melchers, Judith Arndt, Annemiek van Vleuten and Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ), but only one woman has won three editions: Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime).
Tour of Flanders Women: Lotte Kopecky makes history with record third victory.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T11:16:23.467Z
The Tour of Flanders is one of the most coveted races each season and some of the biggest names of the sport have won over the years. Nicole Cooke, Ina Yoko Teutenberg, Marianne Vos, Coryn Labecki, Lizzie Deignan and Ellen van Dijk all grace the race palmarès.
2026-04-05T11:09:55.353Z
Though Milan Sanremo was the first of the men’s Monuments to host a women’s race, way back in 1999, that only ran until 2005, by which time De Ronde women’s race was in its second edition.
While Sanremo disappeared for 20 years, Flanders has run continually since its inception, making it the longest running of all women’s Monuments.
2026-04-05T11:00:22.726Z
Our most recent winner in these spring Classics was Movistar’s Marlen Reusser, the Swiss rider winning an enthralling edition of Dwars Door Vlaanderen.
How did she do it? Our report is here.
Marlen Reusser (Movistar) wins the 2026 edition of Dwars Door Vlaanderen (Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T10:50:28.206Z
Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) is only one of more than 130 women on the start line today and though she’s in flying form with wins at Nokere Koerse and Milan-Sanremo, there are plenty of others hoping for success.
Our preview is here.
2026-04-05T10:42:56.354Z
We’re in what has become the race’s spiritual home of Oudenaarde for the start this year. We roll out for 2.9km of neutral at 13:25 (local time) before the winner crosses the line back in Oudenaarde after 164.1km of what’s sure to be frantic racing.
Demi Vollering is interviewed as her FDJ United-SUEZ team sign on for the 2026 Tour of Flanders Women (Image credit: Getty Images)
2026-04-05T10:38:20.420Z
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of this year’s Tour of Flanders Women Elite. Always one of the most exiting, fascinating, entertaining and keenly anticipated races of the season!
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