Demi Vollering won the opening stage of the Setmana Ciclista Volta Femenina de la Comunitat Valenciana with a 19km solo attack.
The European road champion finished 42 seconds ahead of Maëva Squiban.
What happened?
The stage was marked by high winds, but Vollering championed the cause of going ahead with the race.
The peloton stayed together for most of the stage, with the action beginning to get spicier in the hillier second half.
Key moments
Anne Knijnenburg launched a stinging attack with 61km to go, ahead of the first mountain sprint.
Imogen Wolff won the intermediate sprint in Barxeta just before the second mountain sprint.
Teamwork and strategy
Vollering made her move at the same point as last year, but denied that the race went the same way.
She praised her teammates, saying they did their amazing job and stepped up in their role.
Vollering leads the GC by 56 seconds over Squiban with Viktória Chladoňová third at 58 seconds.
The stage was 121 kilometers long and featured a flat road and high pace.
Looking ahead
Vollering's victory sets her up for a strong performance in the rest of the Setmana Valenciana.
She will look to maintain her lead and take the overall title.
Vollering's win is her first of the 2026 season, and she will be eager to build on this momentum.
The European road champion has shown her strength and determination in challenging conditions.