The 2026 Women's WorldTour cycling season is fully operational, with the Tour Down Under and UAE Tour already behind us. As the cycling calendar shifts its focus to European competitions, this detailed guide provides an essential overview of the teams, their star athletes, and the marquee events that will shape this exciting season, all culminating in the fifth edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in August.
The AG Insurance-Soudal team enters 2026 with a consistent roster, seeing minimal changes from the previous year. Their strategy revolves around supporting core riders like Kim Le Court and Sarah Gigante, who both achieved significant victories in 2025, including Le Court's triumph at the Tour de France Femmes and Gigante's podium finish at the Giro. This continuity is expected to translate into more consistent performances, with Urška Žigart and Justine Ghekiere also poised to make notable contributions. This stable lineup aims to build on past successes and leverage the proven strengths of their key athletes.
Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto is focused on reclaiming the top spot at the Tour de France Femmes, with Kasia Niewiadoma Phinney leading the charge. Despite a strong performance in 2025 with 15 wins, only two were at the WorldTour level, highlighting a need for broader success. Riders like Chloé Dygert and Zoe Bäckstedt, known for their time trial prowess, are expected to deliver more WorldTour victories. The team has maintained its roster stability, with no new signings, reinforcing its belief in the existing talent. Key riders such as Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, Neve Bradbury, and sprinter Chiara Consonni are crucial to their ambitions of achieving more widespread success beyond their primary goals.
Newcomer to the Women’s WorldTour, EF Education-Oatly, had an impressive start to their season by securing a consecutive victory at the Tour Down Under through Noemi Rüegg. The team aims to build on this early success, with Rüegg and Cédrine Kerbaol consistently performing at the forefront of races. The squad boasts diverse talent, including rainbow jersey holder Magdeleine Vallieres and experienced Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner. With an influx of young talent, the team is set to maintain its vibrant atmosphere and competitive edge. Although Alison Jackson has departed, the focus remains on nurturing new talent and achieving more WorldTour victories.
FDJ United-Suez, under the leadership of team boss Stephen Delcourt, harbors strong aspirations for winning the Tour de France Femmes and solidifying its position as the world's top-ranked team. Their investment in defending Tour champion Demi Vollering in 2025 propelled them to significant early-season successes, although the ultimate yellow jersey remained elusive. The team's strategy includes recruiting versatile riders such as German champion Frazinska Koch, Eva van Agt, and Sofia Bertizzolo, who are expected to bolster their performance across various terrains. Despite a slightly smaller roster, the emphasis on quality and strategic additions, like Scotswoman Lauren Dickson, aims to ensure continued dominance and achieve their Tour de France ambitions.
Fenix-Premier Tech stands out with an expanded roster for 2026, comprising 19 riders, reflecting a strategic blend of cyclo-cross and Classics specialists. Historically, they haven't been prolific winners but have achieved significant victories in major races, including stages in the Tour de France Femmes. Puck Pieterse, a versatile and highly talented rider, consistently performs in the Classics, having achieved top-10 finishes and a win at La Flèche Wallonne last year. The addition of Charlotte Kool mid-season further strengthens their sprint capabilities. The team’s focus remains on securing big Classics victories and leveraging the diverse skills of its enlarged squad.
Lidl-Trek enters 2026 with a wealth of talent and the primary goal of optimizing the performance of its star riders. Despite the retirement of veterans Ellen van Dijk and Lizzie Deignan, the team's foresight in making key changes in 2025 has ensured a smooth transition. Their winter signings have focused on reinforcing domestique support and integrating experienced riders to complement their developing roster. While WorldTour wins in 2025 were slightly below expectations, stage victories at the Vuelta España Femenina and Giro d’Italia Women, including a notable performance by Anna Henderson, demonstrated their potential. With Niamh Fisher-Black and Riejanne Markus targeting top-five finishes in Grand Tours, and a strong Classics squad led by Elisa Balsamo, the team is poised for a breakout season. The presence of young talents, such as Isabella Holmgren, also signifies a promising future.
Movistar demonstrated its strength in 2025 by securing 10 WorldTour victories, placing them among the elite teams. A significant portion of these wins, seven in total, came from world time trial champion Marlen Reusser, who also proved her general classification capabilities with runner-up finishes at the Vuelta Femenina and Giro. The team also focuses on nurturing young talent, including British prodigy Cat Ferguson and Spanish junior world champion Paula Ostiz. With a blend of established champions and promising youth, Movistar aims to continue its winning trajectory and develop the next generation of cycling stars.
Picnic PostNL has undergone a significant transition during the off-season, with nine riders departing and eight new talents joining the squad. This shift marks a rebuilding phase for the team, which is now characterized by a young and developing roster. Despite low expectations, they made a strong start at the Tour Down Under with two podium finishes and Josie Nelson's 12th place overall. The Classics will be a crucial testing ground for the team, where Pfeiffer Georgi, recovering from a concussion sustained at the Tour de France Femmes, aims to re-establish herself as a contender. The team looks to its refreshed lineup to defy expectations and demonstrate their potential in the upcoming races.
SD Worx-Protime faces a new challenge in 2026, no longer holding the top ranking but instead chasing FDJ United-SUEZ. Despite a remarkable 48 wins in 2025, including 25 by the dominant sprinter Lorena Wiebes, the team seeks to regain its absolute supremacy. Key riders like Lotte Kopecky, who won the Tour of Flanders, and Anna van der Breggen are vital to their strategy. While Kopecky had a quieter 2025 due to injuries, her return to form is crucial for the Classics. The team aims to utilize its strong contingent of developing riders and strategic new signings, such as Nienke Vinke, to restore its dominant presence in the peloton and bend races to its will, particularly in the Classics and future GC challenges.
UAE Team ADQ continues its impressive growth, solidifying its position as one of the most formidable teams in the peloton. The acquisition of Elisa Longo Borghini last year has been instrumental in their success, contributing to a record-breaking 28 wins in 2025, distributed among 13 of their 19 riders. The team, with roots tracing back to 2011, has successfully built a powerful roster that includes Tour de France Femmes revelation Maeva Squiban and Karlijn Swinkels, who have already secured early season victories. With an expanded roster, UAE Team ADQ is set on defending Longo Borghini's Giro title and achieving a podium finish at the Tour de France Femmes, leveraging their depth of talent and strategic leadership.
Visma-Lease a Bike enjoyed a successful 2025 season, securing more victories than in its previous four years, largely thanks to a diversified performance across the team. While Pauline Ferrand-Prévot's Tour de France Femmes victory was a highlight, the team also saw significant contributions from Martina Fidanza and Ninke Veenhoven. The future looks bright with young talents like British rider Imogen Wolff and French climber Marion Bunel already making their mark. Ferrand-Prévot's ability to target and win major races, combined with Marianne Vos's consistent success in Classics, positions Visma-Lease a Bike for continued triumph. The team also benefits from the all-round capabilities of Sarah Van Dam and Daniek Hengeveld, creating a well-rounded and successful squad.
Other notable teams include Uno-X Mobility, Liv AlUla Jayco, and Human Powered Health. Uno-X Mobility, known for its aggressive underdog tactics, will look to Mie Bjørndal Ottestad and experienced GC leader Katrine Aalerud to build on their single WorldTour win from last year. Liv AlUla Jayco aims to increase its presence at the front of races, with Letizia Paternoster and Ruby Roseman-Gannon leading their charge, following strong performances in 2025. Human Powered Health seeks its first ProTour or WorldTour victory, relying on the experience of Thalita de Jong and Kathrin Schweinberger to deliver surprise results. These teams contribute to the depth and excitement of the Women's WorldTour, promising a season full of unexpected performances and fierce competition.
The Spring Classics season sets an electrifying pace from late February to late April, mirroring the men's calendar with parallel events like Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes. March highlights include Italy's Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo Donne—won last season by Lorena Wiebes—and the newly rebranded In Flanders Fields and Tour of Bruges. Amidst these, the Trofeo Alfredo Binda, with its rich 50-year history, remains a key race. As the season progresses, attention shifts to the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in April, while climbers will set their sights on the hilly Ardennes races: Amstel Gold, Flèche Wallonne, and Liège. This packed schedule promises intense competition and showcases the diverse strengths of the peloton.
The Vuelta España Femenina by carrefour.es, scheduled from May 3-10, has become a pivotal event in the revamped women's season, now strategically placed to avoid conflicts with other major tours. This allows for broader participation from the world's top riders, making it a highly anticipated stage race. Despite teams managing smaller rosters and needing to be selective with their entries, the Vuelta Femenina continues to attract the elite of stage racers. Last year's runner-up, Marlen Reusser, is confirmed to ride, and there is strong anticipation for defending champion Demi Vollering to also compete, promising a high-stakes competition for the general classification title.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, running from August 1-9, promises an epic battle, starting with two flat stages before gradually escalating in difficulty. Hilly stages lead into an individual time trial, culminating in the iconic Mont Ventoux—a climb poised to significantly influence the battle for the yellow jersey. The race concludes with a challenging final stage around Nice, featuring four ascents of the Col d’Eze, designed to distinguish the strongest riders. Demi Vollering is determined to reclaim her title and prove her status as the world's best, while Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, with her unique ability to peak for major events, will be a formidable contender. This year’s Tour is set to be a clash of titans, with action stretching from Switzerland to the Mediterranean, promising an unforgettable spectacle.
The 2026 Women's WorldTour season is poised to be a captivating display of athletic prowess and strategic team dynamics, building on the momentum of previous years. With top-tier teams like AG Insurance-Soudal, Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto, FDJ United-Suez, and UAE Team ADQ all vying for dominance, and emerging forces like EF Education-Oatly, Fenix-Premier Tech, Lidl-Trek, Movistar, Picnic PostNL, SD Worx-Protime, and Visma-Lease a Bike each bringing their unique strengths and ambitions, the competition promises to be fierce. From the Spring Classics to the Grand Tours, including the much-anticipated Tour de France Femmes, every race offers a platform for riders to showcase their talent and for teams to execute their carefully planned strategies, making this a truly unmissable season for cycling enthusiasts.