Racing
Cédrine Kerbaol takes stage 3 Vuelta victory
French rider dedicates the win to teammate Noemi Rüegg
May 5, 2026
Cédrine Kerbaol timed her attack to perfection and claimed the third stage of La Vuelta Femenina.
With 2.2 kilometers remaining, Cédrine attacked the reduced peloton and immediately opened up a gap. Teammate Alice Towers was on the front of the peloton and worked to control the bunch, ensuring that no chasers would catch Cédrine.
“We spoke this morning and we said, ‘We can do it today. We will attack or we will try something until it works. And today, it works,” Cédrine said.
It was a fantastic team effort to set up Cédrine for the win. The squad rode together all day, ensuring that Cédrine was well-positioned throughout the 121.2 kilometer stage. Alexis Magner, Babette van der Wolf, and Henri Christie put in the early work, leaving Kristen Faulkner and Alice to support their French teammate in the finale. As the peloton shed riders on their way to A Coruña, Kristen launched her attack. She stayed away for five kilometers, forcing rival teams to put in an effort to catch her.
Next was Alice to attack. Her acceleration saw GC favorites spend their energy to pull her back. As soon as there was a moment of hesitation, Cédrine attacked up the side. She fully committed to the move and from then there was no catching her.
Cédrine and the squad dedicated today’s win to Noemi Rüegg, their teammate who, after winning the opening stage, crashed during stage 2 and was forced to abandon while wearing the race leader’s red jersey. Noemi sustained a fractured shoulder and after receiving initial medical care in Spain, will continue her treatment at home in Switzerland with the supervision of the team’s medical staff.
“After the roller coaster of emotions from Noemi’s victory to her crash yesterday, we really wanted to do well and the girls said, ‘Yeah, we need to make a nice show for her. She can have fun in front of the TV this afternoon.’ So, yeah, this one is for the team. This one is for Noemi as well,” Cédrine said.
Four stages remain in La Vuelta and this squad has nothing to lose.
Congratulations to Cédrine and the entire squad on today’s victory!