The Vuelta a Burgos Femenina returns for its tenth edition from 22nd to 25th May with a format change that reshapes the GC fight. For the first time, the summit finish on Picón Blanco will not close the race. Instead, the final stage is a flat individual time trial in the Valle de Mena, forcing climbers to make their moves earlier and giving all-rounders a fresh opportunity to target overall victory.
Now a well-established part of the Women’s WorldTour, the race sits just after La Vuelta Femenina and Itzulia Women on the 2025 calendar. It continues to attract a strong field of stage racers looking to carry form across Spain’s spring block. The move to close with a time trial is a marked departure from recent editions, where the race was traditionally decided on the final climb.
The 2025 edition opens with a lumpy stage from Burgos to Poza de la Sal, suited to puncheurs and early attackers, before heading into the Ribera del Duero for a second day that looks set for the sprinters, though the exposed terrain could bring crosswinds into play. The queen stage comes on Saturday with the now-familiar ascent of Picón Blanco. The 7.8 km climb averages over 9% and has been decisive in previous editions, but with one more stage to follow, it may not carry the final weight in the GC. That falls to the closing individual time trial, a flat and fast route through the Mena Valley where gaps could still be overturned.
Since launching in 2015 as a national-level race and gaining UCI status by 2019, the Vuelta a Burgos Femenina has evolved rapidly. Its jump to WorldTour level in 2021 brought top-tier competition and high drama, including Anna van der Breggen’s narrow win over Annemiek van Vleuten and Demi Vollering’s summit victories in 2022 and 2023. That 2022 edition remains notable for the limited TV coverage during Vollering’s decisive attack and for Jennifer Ducuara briefly becoming the first Colombian to wear a WWT leader’s jersey after a bold break on stage 2.
In 2023, Lorena Wiebes opened the race with a powerful sprint win, though a relegation the following day for irregular sprinting sparked controversy. SD Worx continued to dominate regardless, with Vollering once again finishing the job in the mountains. Last year saw chaos on Stage 1 with a large crash for the sprinters – Lotta Henttala came through unscathed to take her first WWT win in 6 years. Demi Vollering dominated the climbing with 2 stage wins, whilst Lorena Wiebes took the other sprint stage as expected.
Previous Winners
2024
Demi Vollering
2023
Demi Vollering
2022
Juliette Labous
2025 Vuelta a Burgos Stage Profiles
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Live TV Coverage
Thursday 22nd May to Sunday 25th May 2025
Live on Discovery Plus/Max/TNT Sports across most of Europe
Stage 1: 13:30-15:00
Stage 2: 13:30-15:00
Stage 3: 13:30-15:00
Stage 4: 13:30-15:00
All times in BST
Twitter: #VueltaBurgos
Startlist: FirstCycling
Photo Credit: Getty
Photo Credit: Getty
Vuelta a Burgos 2025 Contenders
Expect Marlen Reusser to be a constant threat throughout the race. The Swiss powerhouse could shape the GC on her own if she’s allowed the space. Stage 3’s summit finish will be the toughest ask, but her climbing has improved enough in recent seasons to stay in contention. The 9.4km flat time trial on the final day is made for her – she’s the standout favourite there, and if the gaps on the climb aren’t too large, she could ride herself into the GC podium. She’s also a threat in reduced sprints, as she’s shown more than once, making her a contender on Stage 1 and 2 if things come back together late. Movistar will be fully behind her here, and with the terrain on offer, she may end up fighting for the overall win.
UAE Team ADQ enters with a deep squad. Elisa Longo Borghini is the GC anchor here as her all-round capabilities mean she can survive the climbs and thrive in a time trial of this length. She’ll likely be one of the few here who can target both Stage 3 and the GC test on Stage 4. A well-managed effort on the opening stages could leave her in pole position once the road tilts upwards. Silvia Persico will be on GC lieutenant duties but could get the freedom to attack on Stage 2 and then see how she does in support on Stage 3. Paula Blasi has been quietly building confidence and form in spring and may get a shot at one of the sprint stages if she can survive the climbs which is a possibility.
Lotte Kopecky and Lorena Wiebes bring heavyweight firepower for SD Worx, though how they navigate the stage profiles of the race will shape the team’s ambitions. They’ll focus on GC with Kopecky, who is back for the first time since Liège-Bastogne-Liège but there will be questions on whether these climbs are too steep for the Belgian. She could claw back some time on the TT some rivals won’t give up too much there. Wiebes should be the favourite for Stages 1 and 2, with no questions about her performance on those sorts of climbs. She’ll go head-to-head against Elisa Balsamo and will feel confident of beating the Italian.
Canyon SRAM zondacrypto has a well-rounded line-up with multiple options across the different stage profiles. Chiara Consonni is the most obvious pick for the sprint stages, but there are possible doubts about whether she can contest them to the fullest. Stage 1 might be the best shot, depending on how it’s raced, and Stage 2 is really dependent on how fast the final climb goes. Antonia Niedermaier is the team’s most realistic GC card. She’s climbing well again, and the summit finish on Stage 3 should suit her, especially if she can stay within touching distance before the TT. It’s a chance to reset after a solid Itzulia Women, which saw her finish 8th in GC. Ricarda Bauernfeind and Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka also give Canyon a strong second line as both are dangerous on medium mountain terrain and could aim for stage results if they’re not backing Niedermaier all-in.
FDJ-Suez bring a versatile line-up with ambitions across all four stages. Elise Chabbey will be one to watch on the summit finish of Stage 3, where her ability to grind out long efforts on sustained gradients could see her climb into the GC picture. If she’s still close after the time trial, a top-10 overall would be within reach. Juliette Labous, should come into play on both the mountain stage and the time trial. She’s been riding in support mostly this season, but still strong enough to pick up 5th at the Vuelta Femenina whilst working for Demi Vollering. With the leadership hers here, she can prove to be a threat. Ally Wollaston gives the team a genuine sprint option on the punchier opening days, particularly if the finishes are reduced groups rather than full bunch sprints. She’ll be targeting Stages 1 and 2, especially given how few pure sprinters are on the start list. Célia Gery, still developing at this level, may get some freedom depending on how the team’s leaders fare – a breakaway or aggressive ride on a transitional day wouldn’t be a surprise.
At Lidl-Trek, Elisa Balsamo returns to the race that saw her crash out and break her arm last season. Back with motivation and a bit of unfinished business, she’ll be eyeing both Stage 1 and 2 for redemption. The uphill drag to the line on Stage 1 might suit her less than a flat finish, but she remains one of the fastest finishers in the bunch and is capable of winning from a reduced group. She should be able to get over the claim on Stage 2 as well. Gaia Realini, still trying to rediscover her best legs in 2025, will target Stage 3’s summit finish as her moment to show that the form is coming. If she struggles there, the GC fight will have to be saved for yet another day this season. Amanda Spratt has looked solid recently, not in a race-winning way, but clearly on an upward curve. Her experience will be invaluable, especially in Stage 3, where she could serve as a foil or even a surprise stage contender.
Expect Kim Cadzow to be the point of focus for EF Education-Oatly. She’s not always suited to the shorter climbs in one-day races, but over a longer GC format like this, with a decisive summit finish and a time trial, she could finally land a top result. The key will be Stage 3. If she can stay with the front group or limit her losses to the big hitters, the time trial may help her jump others in the standings. Alison Jackson and Mirre Knaven will likely be given some freedom for the sprint stages, though both remain longer shots. Jackson will have confidence after winning Gracia Orlová recently, whereas that was the comeback race for Mirre Knaven.
Human Powered Health arrives at the Vuelta a Burgos Feminas with a well-balanced squad, but the overall ambitions lie with Barbara Malcotti. The Italian has quietly been piecing together a strong run of results on tough climbing courses, with 7th at Durango Durango, 17th at Navarra Elite Classics, and 22nd overall at La Vuelta Femenina. Earlier in the season, she also placed 5th on the Jebel Hafeet summit finish, one of the most selective climbs in the calendar. If she can replicate that climbing form on Stage 3, she’s a serious contender for the lower end of the GC top-10 and may even push closer if the time gaps are tight going into the final time trial. Ruth Edwards adds another angle for the team with her sharp finish and interest in the 9.4km TT, where she could be one of the better non-specialist performers. Yurani Blanco may suit the first couple of stages, particularly the draggy finishes and punchy terrain, though she comes into the race with some question marks after a string of DNFs. For the sprint stages, it could come down to whether Silvia Zanardi or Kathrin Schweinberger gets the nod. Zanardi looks the better suited for this course, with five individual top-10s in 2025 across a range of profiles. Schweinberger, who tends to thrive on flatter roads like at Scheldeprijs and Omloop der Kempen, may struggle more with the uphill efforts expected here.
There’s no shortage of stage-hunting ambition at Liv AlUla Jayco. Silke Smulders carries the most potential for the team, whilst Ruby Roseman-Gannon should be active in support across all four days. Smulders has been climbing well enough to survive tough finishes and sprinting well enough to win from smaller groups, a perfect combination for Burgos’s tricky terrain. The uphill drag on Stage 1 and the sprint from a select group on Stage 2 both suit her. Ella Wyllie adds more climbing depth and might be given an opportunity on the GC stage, particularly if any big names falter and others hesitate. While there’s no overwhelming GC focus for this team, they have the pieces to shape multiple stages.
Nienke Vinke will be looking forward to a route like this. After showing strong early-season climbing form and a reliable engine in tougher finishes, she’s a dark horse for the GC. Stage 3 plays to her strengths, and the relatively flat time trial on Stage 4 should limit her losses – she’s not a TT specialist, but she’s not weak there either. If she can limit time gaps on the opening two stages and get a clean run on the climb, she should break into the top-10 overall like she did at the Vuelta Femenina recently.
The time trial on the final day makes Mireia Benito a standout pick for AG Insurance-Soudal. She’s a naturally strong rider against the clock, and the 9.4km test suits her profile well – long enough to open gaps, short enough to avoid a pure GC reshuffle. She’s unlikely to be in the GC hunt on the final day, but the stage itself is a real opportunity. Julie Van de Velde is tailor-made for breakaway days and has looked in some good form recently. She’ll look to anticipate the big names and get up the road, especially if the GC riders hesitate to control things too early. For the flatter stages, the team has options in either Gladys Verhulst-Wild or Alex Manly, depending on who lines up. Verhulst has a better punch on an uphill finish, so she may be the pick for Stage 1. While Manly offers some outright pace, she’s not been given the opportunities really this year, but it could all fall onto her lap.
Karolina Perekitko continues her strong run of form into the Vuelta a Burgos after an impressive showing at Itzulia Women, where she finished 11th in GC, followed by 15th at Durango Durango. The Polish rider is clearly climbing well and positioning herself consistently inside the second group of favourites. With the summit finish on Stage 3, she has a genuine opportunity to break into the top-10 overall. The flat 9.4km time trial on the final day is not in her favour, however, and she’ll need to make time count on the climb to compensate.
Vuelta a Burgos 2025 Outsiders
Valentina Cavallar will circle Stage 3 as her primary opportunity. The Cat 1 summit finish is steep and sustained enough to whittle down the contenders, and while she’s unlikely to feature in the time trial, the climbing stage gives her one good shot at a result. The shorter stages at Burgos should suit her more than the longer climbs of the Vuelta, and the less predictable GC could allow her to sneak into the top 10 if the gaps remain tight.
There’s little doubt that Petra Stiasny will be eyeing Stage 3 as her big opportunity. The Roland rider isn’t a time trial specialist and may bleed time on Stage 4, but the climb-heavy day mid-race suits her strengths perfectly. If the team rides well to position her before the final ascent, she has a chance to land a standout result. With few pure climbers as rivals outside the established GC names, she’ll hope to sneak onto the podium if the mountain stage gets selective enough.
St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 bring a couple of interesting outsiders in Ségolène Thomas and Lucie Fityus. Thomas hit her best result of the season two weeks ago with 3rd at GP de Plumelec-Morbihan, following that up with 10th at GP de Chambéry, showing her comfort on punchy terrain. The longer climb at Burgos may be more of a stretch, but she’s capable of hanging in the mix for reduced sprint results or even sneaking into the top 15 on GC if she rides smartly. Fityus impressed through the spring classics campaign with a series of strong rides that didn’t quite translate into a headline result. Her 10th at Scheldeprijs was the best on paper, but she was repeatedly in the right moves deep into races. If she’s given the freedom to go for one of the sprint stages here, she could finally land that breakthrough performance.
BePink-Imatra-Bongioanni’s best hope for a strong GC showing lies with Gaia Segato, who has quietly put together a solid string of results in May. She finished 20th overall at Itzulia Women, after earning her way into a decisive breakaway, and backed that up with 21st at Durango Durango. While the competition steps up a notch again here at Burgos, Segato’s ability to survive the climbing stages and pick off time in aggressive moves makes her a threat for the back end of the top-20 once more. A clean ride on Stage 3 is crucial, but she’s shown enough to suggest she’ll be visible when the road tilts upwards.
Top 3 Prediction
⦿ Marlen Reusser
⦿ Elisa Longo Borghini
⦿ Lotte Kopecky
