Click on the flag to change language. The automatic translation of this website is done by “Gtranslate” and may contain translation errors. The English text is authoritative.
Belgium 26 Apr 2026 Class 1.WWT – 1 day – UCI Women’s WorldTour
Website http://www.liege-bastogne-liege-femmes.com/
One Day Race Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
The 2026 Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes marks the 10th edition of the race. Staying true to its identity as the toughest one-day race in the women’s Ardennes week, the course covers 156 kilometers and features 10 categorized climbs—the highest number in the race’s history.
Key Race Info
- Start: Place McAuliffe, Bastogne
- Finish: Quai des Ardennes, Liège
- Total Distance: 156 km
- Climbing Profile: Extremely hilly/mountainous (Accidentée)
The 10 Categorized Climbs
The race starts with a relatively flat opening before hitting the “wall” of the Ardennes. The difficulty ramps up significantly in the final 80 kilometers.
| Climb | Km from Start | Length | Avg Gradient |
| Col de Haussire | 28.9 km | 3.9 km | 6.8% |
| Côte de Wanne | 67.7 km | 3.6 km | 5.1% |
| Côte de Stockeu | 74.2 km | 1.0 km | 12.5% |
| Côte de la Haute-Levée | 78.5 km | 2.2 km | 7.5% |
| Col du Rosier | 92.7 km | 4.4 km | 5.9% |
| Col du Maquisard | 105.2 km | 2.4 km | 5.7% |
| Côte de Desnié | 109.3 km | 1.6 km | 8.1% |
| Côte de la Redoute | 122.0 km | 1.6 km | 9.4% |
| Côte des Forges | 132.7 km | 1.3 km | 7.8% |
| Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons | 142.6 km | 1.3 km | 11.0% |
Course Highlights
- The Haussire Addition: By including the Col de Haussire early on, the race organizers ensure that the peloton is fatigued long before the famous final climbs. It is statistically one of the hardest climbs in Belgium.
- The Iconic Duo: As with the men’s race, the Côte de la Redoute acts as the psychological turning point. Attacks here often split the elite group, leaving only the strongest favorites at the front.
- The Decisive Finale: The Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons is the final launchpad. Located just 13.4 km from the finish, its steep ramps and the subsequent “false flat” section are where the winning move is almost always made.
- The Run-in to Liège: After the final descent, the race ends with a fast, flat sprint (or solo victory parade) along the Quai des Ardennes, mirroring the men’s finish line.
2026 Favorites to Watch
The 2026 field is stacked with generational talent, including:
- Demi Vollering (FDJ United – Suez): Looking to reclaim her Ardennes dominance.
- Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx-Protime): The world champion, aiming to add “La Doyenne” to her Monument collection.
- Kasia Niewiadoma (CANYON//SRAM): Always a threat on the steep Ardennes slopes.
- Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech): The 2025 podium finisher returning as a top contender.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
While the men’s race dates back to the 19th century, the Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes is a much younger addition to the cycling calendar. Despite its short history, it instantly became one of the most prestigious races in the women’s professional peloton.
The Beginning (2017)
The race was launched by the ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation) in 2017. Its creation was a landmark moment, as it completed the “Women’s Ardennes Trilogy”—allowing female riders to compete in the Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège within a single week, mirroring the men’s schedule.
- The First Winner: The legendary Anna van der Breggen made history by winning the inaugural edition.
- The “Triple Crown”: In that same year, Van der Breggen won all three Ardennes Classics in the same week, a feat so dominant it has rarely been challenged since.
Evolution of the Course
The women’s race does not start in Liège; instead, it typically begins in Bastogne and heads north to Liège. This covers the most difficult half of the men’s route.
| Year | Key Change |
| 2017–2018 | The race finished in the suburb of Ans (uphill finish). |
| 2019 | The finish moved to the flat Quai des Ardennes in Liège city center. |
| 2024 | The route was lengthened to nearly 153 km, making it one of the longest and toughest one-day races on the Women’s WorldTour. |
Defining Moments & Dominant Riders
The history of the race has been defined by the dominance of Dutch cycling and the rise of versatile climbers.
- The Dutch Reign: For the first five editions (2017–2021), the race was won exclusively by Dutch riders: Anna van der Breggen, Annemiek van Vleuten, and Demi Vollering.
- Annemiek van Vleuten’s Masterclass (2019 & 2022): Van Vleuten is famous for her long-range solo attacks. In 2019, she attacked on the Côte de la Redoute and rode 30km alone to victory in pouring rain.
- Demi Vollering (2021 & 2023): Representing the new generation, Vollering showed her tactical prowess by winning both in small-group sprints and via dominant team play (SD Worx).
Iconic Climbs
Though shorter than the men’s race, the women’s version includes the most “legendary” slopes that define La Doyenne:
- Côte de la Redoute: Where the strongest climbers usually attempt to break the peloton.
- Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons: The final “wall” before the descent into Liège, often the site of the winning move.
Historical Significance
The introduction of Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes was a major step in the professionalization of women’s cycling. By providing a “Monument” with the same level of television coverage and prestige as the men’s race, it helped elevate the profile of riders who specialize in high-altitude, high-cadence climbing.
Today, it is considered the most difficult one-day race for women outside of Paris-Roubaix Femmes, demanding a unique blend of endurance and explosive power.
