Australian champion strikes with stage and overall win at Vuelta a Extremadura
Mackenzie Coupland once again made her mark. The only 20-year-old rider from Liv Jayco AlUla scored a double victory on Sunday at the Vuelta a Extremadura. The Australian champion not only won the final stage but also claimed the overall classification.
What kind of stage was on the program? The challenge was in the finale, as the last stage was tailor-made for climbers. The riders faced four climbs along the way, with the Alto de la Deseperá (5.8 km at 7.4%) as the main trial. The summit of this climb was about twenty kilometers from the finish in Jaraíz de la Vera.
How did the opening hours unfold? Fairly chaotic, thanks to a breakaway of twelve riders, with leader Zoe Bäckstedt as the most notable name. However, this group didn’t last long. That was the signal for Nikola Noskova to make a move. The Czech rider from Cofidis was at one point joined by a Dutch rider: Eva van Agt of FDJ United-SUEZ.
Van Agt and Noskova on the attack - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Was there still excitement on the final climb? The two escapees seemed doomed, but Noskova had strong legs and held her own well on the Alto de la Deseperá. She managed to link up with Lauren Dickson, Talia Appleton, and Mackenzie Coupland, who had broken away from the peloton. These four riders crested the climb with a gap and started the descent together.
What happened in the finale? After some tactical maneuvers, Dickson and Coupland joined forces. The duo broke away from Noskova and Appleton and were set to contest the stage win. In a very unusual sprint—which only kicked off in the last 25 meters—the 20-year-old Coupland came out on top. She killed two birds with one stone, as she also earned the overall victory.
🏆 Mackenzie Coupland wins in Jaraíz de la Vera… and takes the Vuelta.
The Australian conquers Stage 3 and the general classification of the 2026 Vuelta Ciclista a Extremadura Femenina.#EstamosDeVuelta pic.twitter.com/tNgHvAvXA8
— Vuelta Extremadura 2026 (@vuelta_ex) March 8, 2026
