Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2026 women’s race LIVE – Demi Vollering wins from solo breakaway for third victory, Puck Pieterse takes second in sprint

Vollering won La Fleche Wallonne Femmes earlier this week, and now she has won Liege-Bastogne-Liege too.

Add in her victories Ronde van Vlaanderenm and at Omloop Nieuwsblad and it is clear to see Vollering is the rider to catch at the moment.

But as she said herself, it is a long way to go until the Tour de France Femmes - one she really wants to win this year. You wouldn't bet against her, but at the same time, women's cycling is in rude health with a stacked field of talent.

Pieterse showed her class today with a gutsy ride to second, out-sprinting her rivals after that chase group had to accept the win had gone.

Niewiadoma-Phinney also had a strong ride to finish third, with van der Breggen fourth on the line after knowing she could not out-sprint her rivals.

But today was all about Vollering. She went on La Redoute alone with a good 34km to go, and no one could hold her wheel.

The Dutch rider disappeared up the road to win by 1'29'', for her third victory in Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

Next up for the peloton will be the Vuelta Espana Femenina, then comes the Giro d'Italia at the end of May before the Tour de France Femmes starting on August 01.

There are some smaller stage races in between for the riders, with Vollering set to miss the Vuelta and ride the Giro instead - and on current form, you would not want to be going up against her...

Thank you for joining us for the Spring Classics season, and stay tuned to TNT Sports for live coverage of plenty of racing to come.

1. Vollering (FDJ United) 4hr10’22’’

2. Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) +1’29’’

3. Niewiadoma-Phinney  (Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto) +1’29’’

4. Van der Breggen (SD Worx - Protime) +1’29’’

5. Blasi (UAE Team ADQ) +1’48’’

6. Holmgren (Lidl–Trek) +1’48’’

7. Chabbey (FDJ United) +1’56’’

8. Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly) +1'56''

9. Berthet (FDJ United) +1'56''

10. Dubau-Prevot (EF Education-Oatly) +1'56''

It’s incredible, I really wanted to win again here. I mean I really love this race, it brings back so many good memories. Even as a club rider, not having a women’s race yet, I was dreaming of it. To become a pro and go for a third one here, I’m so proud. Women’s sports deserve so much more.

That was the plan [to make a move on the Cote de la Redoute], I wanted to go all out for this victory and have no regrets afterwards. We planned to have a team mate out front, but that didn’t work. Still, I went and it was a long way from there, but I managed to find the finish line and finish it off. 

We know how strong we are [as a team], we make a plan and we do it over and over again, and I am super proud. They are not afraid to push themselves and to be able to win here is amazing. 

The Tour [de France Femmes] is still far, you need to stay healthy and have a good training period. This we should enjoy, and what is coming, is coming later.

There is a sprint finish for the chase group, with Pieterse taking second place ahead of Niewiadoma-Phinney. Van der Breggen is fourth.

She is out of the paddle, and as Vollering sits back down, she cracks a smile.

Both hands come off the handlebars for a double fist pump, before she raises her arms over the line and grabs her helmet.

What a dominant ride.

What a performance.

What an athlete Vollering is.

Vollering is not going to be reeled in here...

The gap is going up not down.

Vollering leads by 1'13''.

And it looks like van der Breggen, Pieterse and Niewiadoma-Phinney will be fighting for second today.

With a lead of just over a minute, it is hard to see the chase group hauling in Vollering here as she heads for her fourth one-day win this spring.

She is riding in full sunshine on a glorious day, legs still pumping as it looks to all the world as if Vollering will be joining Pogacar as a winner today.

Van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) has caught up to the chase group of three. But after briefly swelling their numbers, now Holmgren is starting to drop off the back.

So, Vollering has her head down as she almost assumes a time trial position. She leads by 1'05'' with no climbing left today.

This is an uphill section for the race leader, albeit unclassified. But Vollering is powering on, legs pumping, head down. The crowds are a bit thicker here so there is plenty of noise for the race leader, who is 1'10'' ahead now.

Hard to see anything but a Vollering victory - but with just over 10km to and some tricky roads to contend with late on... Is there anything for the chasers to cling to in terms of hope?!

Vollering is comfortable enough to take a drink, as she descends. Behind Pieterse really attacks on the climb - but that looks more to force the pace than break away from the other two.

In the third group, van der Breggen is on the attack as that group splinters, but they are 1'27'' back from Vollering now.

As for the Dutchman, her teeth are bared in a grimace again, but she is showing no signs of slowing.

Here we go then, one last big hurdle for Vollering.

The Cote de la Roche-aux-Faucons, 1.3km of 11%. Vollering keeps her tempo though, as her lead hits the one minute mark.

The sun is beating down today, it is 16 degrees celsius out there but there is plenty of shade at the moment for those on the climb.

16KM TO GO: VOLLERING IS FLYING

The Dutchwoman is really motoring on here, and as such her lead just keeps growing. Both Vollering and her chasers are making their way through a small town, navigating a few 90 degree bends for good measure. Credit to the chasers - Holmgren, Pieterse and Niewiadoma-Phinney - who are still working well together.

The gap is over 52'' now, but Vollering did just stretch her back a little bit - but based on her pace, she seems to be okay.

Vollering is now 42'' in front - the gap remained steady over the climb, but now they are all on the descent.

The race descends from here to a short flat section, before the final climb of the day, a small lump and then the descent into Liege - with the waiting crowds possibly awaiting a lone breakaway as things stand.

Vollering is on the Cote des Forges now, and as she begins to climb, her lead is whittled down by the chase group who remain on the flat. The bigger second group down the road do not seem to be pushing too hard - have they decided the win has gone?

The chasers are now on the climb too, all three out of the saddle as the gradient kicks in.

The route is lined with fans, cheering these three on as they do everything they can to catch back up to Vollering.

"They are certainly making her work for it," says Dani Rowe on commentary.

But while the chase group of three continues to rotate and pull, Vollering is looking in one form and her lead has grown to 32'' now.

Pieterse is the one who seems the most determined to bring this back but it will be a tough ask - they are up against someone who is in brilliant form, and has already won three Spring Classics this year.

Vollering has her head down as she rocks out of the saddle, before settling back into a rhythm.

She has 23'' now, and nearly a minute on the second chase group which includes Tour de France Femmes champion Ferrand-Prevot.

The first chase group are working quite well together except for the fact they are down to three having dropped Fisher-Black, as they approach the Cote des Forges - a 1,3km 7.8% climb.