The one-day race, which had finished in Stuttgart for the first three editions, was moved this year to the north of the Swabian city and took place around Tasch in the Ludwigsburg district. The route covered 135 kilometres of consistently undulating terrain, the final section of which consisted of three laps, each just under twelve kilometres long.

Just as the peloton reached the circuit, Włodarczyk launched an attack 31 kilometres from the finish, which quickly gave her a one-minute lead. She was able to capitalise on this lead right up to the finish line. For the 25-year-old, it was her fifth win of the season and the 16th of her career. The fact that the Polish champion was ultimately able to secure this victory relatively comfortably was also down to the competition, as her pursuers were never able to agree on a joint chase.

In the end, former world champion Balsamo, who had gone into the race as the favourite, could only manage second place, 46 seconds behind the winner, she sprinted to second place ahead of the former speed skater Sandrine Tas (Lotto Intermache Ladies) from Belgium and Franziska Koch (FDJ United – SUEZ). The German champion, as well as Liane Lippert (Movistar Team), had repeatedly tried to increase the pace in the group with attacks on the circuit. Ultimately, these efforts amounted to little, and Włodarczyk remained unbeatable.

She thus became the first non-Italian winner of the race. Whilst Elena Pirrone had claimed victory in the inaugural edition, Eleonora Gasparrini had won in each of the past two years. Włodarczyk’s team-mate finished fifth this time.

Women's Cycling Grand Prix – Results 2026

How the 2026 Women’s Cycling Grand Prix unfolded

The attacks began immediately after the start, and a duo formed who rode the first few kilometres of the day together. Eliška Kvasničková (VIF Cycling Team) and the British rider Katie Scott (DAS – Hutchinson) quickly built up a two-minute lead together.

On the way to the first mountain classification, however, the Czech rider was forced to let the group pull away, but the peloton had already closed in dangerously, and Scott was caught shortly afterwards. After about 20 kilometres as a tight group, it was Morven Yeoman (DAS – Hutchinson) who broke away solo, gaining a lead of up to one minute. However, even that proved to be short-lived overall.

The peloton rode together for the final 50 kilometres. However, that changed shortly afterwards at the third mountain classification. Led by Lippert and Koch, attacks were launched time and again. Yet no one managed to break away decisively during this phase of the race. By the time the riders reached the first finish line – and thus before the three final laps, each just under twelve kilometres long – a nine-rider group had broken away. Representing Germany in this group were Justyna Czapla (CANYON//SRAM) and Linda Riedmann (Lotto Intermarché Women). During the first lap, however, more riders caught up from behind – including Koch and Lippert.

No one reacts to Włodarczyk’s attack

With 31 kilometres to go, Włodarczyk set off on a solo breakaway. The Polish cyclist built up a lead of almost a minute within four kilometres. By the next time she passed the finish line, her lead had already grown to 1 minute 20 seconds.

With 20 kilometres to go, the chasing group was whittled down by a surge initiated by Koch. However, even that did not immediately bring the remaining riders into line. Yet even at the start of the final lap, Włodarczyk still had a lead of more than a minute. And that proved to be enough. Although Lippert tried to launch an attack at every remaining surge, she was unable to break away from the group. Consequently, there was a sprint for second place – with Balsamo finishing ahead of Tas and Koch.