Mischa Bredewold wins stage five of La Vuelta Femenina, Lotte Kopecky retains red after finishing second

Another one-two for Team SD Worx-Protime in the Vuelta Femenina. The team’s dream scenario came true. Mischa Bredewold won the sprint, while red jersey Lotte Kopecky controlled the sprint and finished second. For Bredewold, it is her first victory in a Grand Tour and her first of 2026. Anna van der Breggen crashed in the final kilometers but sustained no injuries. “This is a dream scenario,” said an overjoyed Mischa Bredewold.

Mischa Bredewold: “I am very happy with this first win of the season. This finish was similar to the one where I finished second last year. The fact that we won a stage yesterday and took the red jersey put us in a luxurious position. I am incredibly grateful to the team and to Lotte Kopecky that I was given the freedom to express my ambition to sprint. We were obviously here in the Vuelta with Lotte for the sprint. It took some puzzling with the stages to possibly give me a chance as well.”

“We had a dream scenario in mind for today and it came true. The dream plan was that I would be given the freedom to sprint with Lotte in my wheel and that Lotte would come over me if needed. Of course, we knew that this was truly an ultimate dream scenario, but it actually happened. I am so grateful to the girls. Hats off to them. They were incredibly strong. We were in control the whole day and the headwind made it difficult for them. The finale was also super hectic. I hope everyone involved in the crash is okay. Anna van der Breggen thankfully seemed to be at first sight. Now we will fight full on for her general classification.”

Lotte Kopecky: “This was a great day. Team SD Worx-Protime took control from the start. As we got closer to the finale, it became more and more hectic. Especially with the rain, we had to be careful. We knew this finish suited us well, so we wanted to try to win in this way. I kept an eye on whether anyone was coming from behind and it’s great that Mischa could take the win. I’m enjoying this red jersey, but after tomorrow it will no longer be mine. But these were two very beautiful days!”

Danny Stam: “This gives a great feeling. We take the victory and keep the red jersey. It’s sometimes difficult when you have two leaders who can both finish it so well. In the first stages, we backed Lotte. We especially wanted to keep the red jersey within the team, preferably with a stage win. But Lotte showed herself as a true champion. She said: I have a stage win plus the red jersey; if I can give something back, then I will do that. But the main goal is to win the stage. When you see how Lotte controls the sprint, it shows what a top champion and super teammate she is.”

Anna van der Breggen: “I’m okay. I almost managed to avoid the crash, but unfortunately not at the very last moment. We had seen the rain clouds threatening for a while and unfortunately the rain started in the last three kilometers. It was extremely slippery. I was involved in the crash, but fortunately I am okay.”