Human Powered Health heads to Spain for the Vuelta a Extremadura Féminas stage race from March 6 through 8.
A race for GC specialists, an opening time trial, rolling day and then a mountainous final stage, tests all the abilities needed to be a strong overall stage-race contender.
The race marks Barbara Malcotti’s return to action after breaking her pelvis in two places in the off-season. A consistent top-ten finisher in stage races last year, Extremadura is her first chance to turn the cranks in anger in 2026.
Malcotti is joined by climber Yurani Blanco, sixth-place finisher at the Tour Down Under Nina Buijsman, Carlotta Cipressi, Jente Koops, the in-form Marit Raaijmakers, and Petra Stiasny.
Vuelta a Extremadura Féminas Stage by Stage
3/6
Stage 1
Route: Herrera del Duque – Herrera del Duque
Distance: 18.4 km
Parcours: ITT
Look out for: Climbers who can TT well, this will set up the GC battle ahead
What matters: Aerodynamic positioning on the relatively straight out-and-back course
Stage 1 is our first race of truth in 2026, and a great chance to see where the TT legs are. A long TT in the grand scheme of the time-trials on the calendar – that are few and far between – it suits nimble riders with a big engine, and will lay the groundwork for the weekend to come.
3/7
Stage 2
Route: Pueblonuevo del Guadiana – Fuente del Maestre
Distance: 132.5 km
Parcours: Rolling
Look out for: A small stretch of cobbles at the finish, it’s hardly Belgium, but it could have an impact
What matters: Judging the effort up the 4.6 km at 2.5% finishing ramp
Stage 2 is perfect for puncheurs who can pack a kick at the end of a long stage. Riders may well fancy their chances to go solo on the final climb, but more likely, a reduced group will battle it out in a sprint.
3/8
Stage 3
Route: Jerte – Jaraíz de la Vera
Distance: 138.3 km
Parcours: High Mountains
Look out for: After all that climbing, the stage win could be down to a 2.1 km at 3.2% drag, topping out 500 meters from the line
What matters: Still being in contention after the final climb, Alto de la Desepera, 5.4 km at 7.8%
An epic stage with a total of 2,724 meters of climbing brings the race to a close. Four climbs, including the hors categorie 15.4 km at 5.1% Piornal are to be tackled before a sharp eight-kilometre descent and drag to Jaraíz de la Vera, which will crown the victor.
How to watch
The race will be streamed on the SPORTPUBLIC TV YouTube channel.
USA
Stage 1 from 8:30 am EST / 7:30 am CST / 6:30 am MST / 5:30 am PST*
Stage 2 from 6:30 am – 9:31 am EST / 5:30 am – 8:31 am CST / 4:30 am – 8:31 am MST / 3:30 am – 7:31 am PST
Stage 3 from 4:00 am – 7:40 am EST / 3:00 am – 6:40 am CST / 2:00 am – 5:40 am MST / 1:00 am – 4:40 am PST
UK & Europe
Stage 1 from 14:30 CET / 13:30 GMT
Stage 2 from 12:30 – 15:31 CET / 11:30 – 14:31 GMT
Stage 3 from 10:00 – 13:40 CET / 9:00 – 12:40 GMT
*Stage finish times in accordance with the expected fastest possible finish
What our athletes think
Barbara Malcotti
I’m super excited to be back racing this weekend, and I’m also happy the recovery process is going the right way and faster than expected. I don’t know yet how my racing condition is, for sure not at 100%, but getting back to racing now will give me something extra. What I need now is the race pace and to get the bunch feeling again, which is not easy after a crash like I had. For sure, this weekend I don’t have big expectations, so whatever comes is good.
Jente Koops
I’m really excited to race my first stage race with the team, especially with a time trial in the race. Settling into the team has been great. It’s really nice to be part of the team, and I really enjoyed the training camp and the first races in Mallorca. So far, everyone has helped me a lot with many things. I feel that I’m in the right place to learn a lot of new things and to further develop myself.
