Analysis by Diego Martín (@martinthecaleb)

RACE ANALYSIS OF THE RONDE VAN VLAANDEREN 2026

• Schedule: 1:25 pm - 5:35 pm (UTC+2 Madrid)

The 2026 edition of the women's Ronde van Vlaanderen slightly reduces its mileage compared to 2025. The start and finish remain in Oudenaarde.

The route follows the usual recent format, bearing many similarities to that of 2024. The first third of the race is almost entirely flat, featuring three cobblestone sections. Lange Munte arrives after almost 30 km, with Lippenhovestraat and Paddestraat following 30 km later.

The first climb of the day, the 600-meter-long Wolvenberg at 7.9%, comes at the halfway point of the race. After this, there are just 82 km to the finish, but nearly all the day's challenges remain. Cyclists will face a total of 15 categorized sections: 6 cobblestone segments and 9 ascents (ranging from hills to walls). They are as follows.

Hills and Cobblestone Sections

#	Segment	Length	Average	Max	Difficulty
1	Lange Munte (Cobblestone)	2.5 km			★★★
2	Lippenhovestraat (Cobblestone)	1.3 km			★★★
3	Paddestraat (Cobblestone)	2.3 km			★★★
4	Wolvenberg (Hill)	0.6 km	7.9 %	17 %	★★★★
5	Kerkgate (Cobblestone)	2 km			★★★
6	Jagerij (Cobblestone)	0.8 km			★★
7	Molenberg (Hill)	0.5 km	7 %	14 %	★★★★
8	Marlboroughstraat (Hill)	2 km	3 %	6 %	★
9	Eikenberg (Hill)	1.2 km	5 %	10 %	★★★
10	Koppenberg (Hill - Cobblestone)	0.6 km	11.6 %	22 %	★★★★★
11	Mariaborrestraat (Cobblestone)	2 km			★★★
12	Taaienberg (Hill)	0.5 km	6.6 %	15 %	★★★★
13	Oude Kruisberg / Hotond (Hill)	2.5 km	5 %	9 %	★★★
14	Oude Kwaremont (Hill - Cobblestone)	2.2 km	4 %	11 %	★★★★
15	Paterberg (Hill - Cobblestone)	0.36 km	12.5 %	20 %	★★★★★

After Wolvenberg, they will face two cobblestone sections: Kerkgate and Jagerij. Immediately after a small descent, the cyclists will tackle the Molenberg. Although the following hill, Marlboroughstraat, is very gentle, the Molenberg's hardness, 500 meters at 7%, and lack of respite may prompt some moves in the peloton or breakaway.

The ascent to the Eikenberg begins the key sequence before the race's outcome. It is followed by Koppenberg, Taaienberg, and Oude Kruisberg, before the decisive chain of Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg. The main difference from 2025 is a slight reorganization before Koppenberg, heightening the positioning challenge and increasing accumulated fatigue before critical points.

Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg are almost antithetical walls that combine perfectly. The Oude Kwaremont is 2.2 km long with a 4% average gradient, though it includes steep areas in double digits. However, the Paterberg is the hardest wall of the race, with 360 meters at a 12.5% average gradient and maximum ramps exceeding 20%. Together they are key continuous efforts to win the women's Ronde van Vlaanderen.

The finish in Oudenaarde presents no major complications. After cresting the Paterberg, only 13 kilometers remain for cyclists to decide who emerges victorious in Flanders.

THE WEATHER

A cloudy day with barely any sunny moments is expected on Sunday for the women's Ronde van Vlaanderen 2026. The Tour of Flanders will feature low temperatures, though not as low as a couple of weeks ago. The temperature will hover around 12 º during the race, with a wind chill of 7-8 º. Wind intensity will be low, but could impact the race.

The wind is expected to blow at an average intensity of 20 km/h with gusts up to 40. It will be favorable at the Taaienberg and unfavorable from then until the Oude Kruisberg. After that and also after the Paterberg, it will be completely lateral. The final 9 km stretch from Kerkhove will see completely favorable wind.

Although rain is currently unlikely during the race, we must watch for updates, as throughout some hours of the race there’s up to a 35% probability of rain. Especially significant if it appears, rain increases difficulty on some sections, raises the chances of incidents or mechanical issues, and further emphasizes the importance of being well-positioned in every difficult segment.

PARTICIPANTS OF THE RONDE VAN VLAANDEREN 2026 WOMEN

FAVORITES FOR THE RONDE VAN VLAANDEREN 2026 WOMEN

Prelude: a date with history

Before the Dwars door Vlaanderen race, we said that although winning there confirms or displays good form, it doesn’t guarantee winning the Ronde van Vlaanderen. On the contrary, it nearly rules out a Tour of Flanders win.

Only one anomaly, one exception: Annemiek van Vleuten. The Dutch rider, in her prime, managed to outsprint Niewiadoma in the women's Dwars door Vlaanderen in 2021. Days later she won De Ronde solo. Remarkable. By chance, the legendary van Vleuten returns this weekend to the peloton as a commentator.

Continuing with the exception to the rule, we have other two world champions: Lotte Kopecky and Marta Bastianelli. Although they didn't win the women’s Dwars door Vlaanderen but took the second place on the podium, they won the Tour of Flanders days later.

In this regard, the riders who stood out the most in A través de Flandes have a date with history. Setting a new exception to the rule. Marlen Reusser won this Wednesday, while Demi Vollering was the reaffirmed star, again proving superior on the hills and key sections of the race. Could they win this Sunday in Flanders?

Race Scenarios

What will the race script be? And which riders are contenders for victory? Starting with the latter, it seems clear that pure sprinters don’t have many options this Sunday. Throughout the history of the women's Ronde van Vlaanderen, only twice has the race been decided in a sprint of a group of at least ten units. It’s more typical and expected for the race to be decided solo, in duos, or trios. Not in large groups.

And what is the most likely scenario? Several teams might aim to make the race tough from early or central moments. FDJ United-Suez and UAE Team Adq are probably on everyone’s minds.

With Demi Vollering in good form and clear directives from the team car, they're becoming a spring reference. At UAE, they might have favored other cyclists besides Longo Borghini at times. Although they’ve lacked the finish on some days, the difference from 2025 is immense.

Key Moments

Climbing the Eikenberg might be one of the vital points of the women's Ronde van Vlaanderen 2026. It isn’t the hardest hill, yet from there, we can say the first half of the race finale begins. The race situation in the approach may be important, as well as the movements being prepared or anticipated.

Will the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg sequence be decisive? Or, on the other hand, will Koppenberg, Taaienberg, and Oude Kruisberg be the true judges of the race? We’re seeing quite a bit of anticipation from some teams and riders this season, trying not to leave everything to a single bullet, a last effort, hoping the succession of efforts will take its toll. In this sense, we expect the race to be in full swing with one or a couple of riders ahead before the final chain of Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg.

Speed: chasing a utopian scenario

A volata in Flanders is a utopia. And a sprint with a large group of more than ten or fifteen riders also seems a quixotic notion. It's likely that Dutch Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) dreams of winning the Ronde van Vlaanderen someday. However, her goal still seems distant. Her capacity to overcome hills needs to improve to maximize her chances.

She benefits from being the fastest, but it’s challenging for the race to unfold according to her interests. It also seems unlikely for cyclists like Italian Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek) and Belgian Shari Bossuyt (AG Insurance - Soudal) to have great opportunities.

Fast but suited for the classics

And though we dismiss a massive or large finish, some fast cyclists who handle hills well may have their chances. We're talking about riders like Swiss Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly), Italians Letizia Paternoster (Liv AlUla Jayco) and Eleonora Gasparini (UAE Team ADQ), British Zoe Bäckstedt (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto), Belgian Fleur Moors (Lidl - Trek), British Imogen Wolf (Visma-Lease a Bike), or American Lily Williams (Human Powered Health).

We want to particularly highlight two cyclists: British Cat Ferguson (Movistar) and Italian Letizia Borghesi (AG Insurance - Soudal). They are not often compared, and for various reasons, they aren't usually prominent. Their speed is beyond doubt, and in peak form, they've shown great capacity to handle short hills and climbs. It’s tough for them to match Vollering, Longo Borghini, Ferrand-Prevót, or Reusser head-to-head on some climbs, but in a second chaser group, they can be deadly.

The Newcomers

It’s not that they are new to the peloton or have just stepped up to the top level this year. The newcomers are some cyclists who, for various reasons, have barely competed in the classics or have been absent from some. In this regard, we remember that Dutch Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) won’t be participating as she mourns her father’s passing (RIP).

French Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike) is one of the big comebacks in Flanders. She only competed in Strade; the result wasn't good, but the feelings weren't as bad. In the Ronde van Vlaanderen, she’s a top favorite. She's one of the few who might withstand the onslaughts from FDJ United and Vollering.

Continuing with comebacks, two Americans return. Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly) competes for the first time with her team after the Tour de France Femmes. Following shoulder surgery in September, Faulkner has barely competed in the Pan American Games. Her form is a mystery. But we can't rule her out. A different situation, yet with similarities, is her compatriot Chloe Dygert (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto). Dygert returns after her crash in Australia. She doesn’t seem like a candidate for victory on this route, but she's a cyclist to follow.

The Superclass

We already previewed that after Wednesday, two cyclists are on everyone's lips. Swiss Marlen Reusser (Movistar) has landed firmly in the classics following a nasty fall in the UAE. She’s not the top favorite, but we've seen how she reads races and exploits them. Movistar has a strong unit with Reusser, Lianne Lippert, and Ferguson for various potential outcomes.

The main favorite to win the Ronde van Vlaanderen 2026 Women is Dutch Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez). Her team has been relentless in making races tough. German Franziska Koch has been the explosive revelation of the classics for the French team. In Elise Chabbey, they have a second card, well-supported by road riders like Kraak and Guazzini and a finisher like Gery.

The Other Two Major Contenders

Regarding the superclass or great champions, we must highlight two other great names. Belgian Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) is one of the top favorites. She won the Milano-Sanremo Women after regaining confidence in Nokere Koerse. Even so, she hasn't fully dispelled all doubts. She seems a notch behind the best on the climbs, and her team seems far from peak form. Of the great champions, she's the cyclist to be eliminated on the climbs due to her better sprint speed.

Italian Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) is the other major favorite. She started the year very well but missing Sanremo due to illness hasn't shown if she has her best pedal stroke. Perhaps on Wednesday, she felt the lack of competition rhythm. We have to trust this double champion’s chances in Flanders. If she's well, she might be the rival to beat on the final hills. Alongside Vollering and Pieterse, she's someone who may try to anticipate attacks.

Other Favorites

But it's not just the great favorites who make their mark in Flanders. This is a race marked in red on many calendars. Classics specialists like Dutch Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck), German Lianne Lippert (Movistar), Belgian Justine Ghekiere, and Mauritian Kim Le Court Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal), British Pfeiffer Georgi (Team Picnic PostNL), Dutch Lucinda Brand and Shirin van Anrooij (Lidl-Trek), French Cédrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly), Dutch Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ), British Anna Henderson (Lidl-Trek) or Dutch Thalita de Jong (Human Powered Health) may become the true protagonists of the Ronde van Vlaanderen 2026 Women.

Predictions

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Demi Vollering

⭐️⭐️ Lotte Kopecky, Pauline Ferrand-Prèvót

⭐️ Elisa Longo Borghini, Marlen Reusser, Puck Pieterse

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My favorite: Demi Vollering

My joker: Fleur Moors