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Lukas Knöfler

The rise of Rüegg: Why the Vuelta Femenina win is a breakthrough moment for the Swiss puncheur

SALVATERRA DE MINO, SPAIN - MAY 03: Stage winner, Noemi Ruegg of Switzerland and Alice Towers of Great Britain and Team EF Education-Oatly react after the 12th La Vuelta Femenina 2026, Stage 1 a 113.9km stage from Marin to Salvaterra de Mino / #UCIWWT / on May 03, 2026 in Salvaterra de Mino, Spain. (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski/Getty Images).

Noemi Rüegg (EF Education-Oatly) had been chasing that big victory for some time, until stage 1 of the 2026 Vuelta Femenina saw the Swiss rider cross the line first. The stage win and resulting red leader’s jersey marks another step up for the 25-year-old.

"It's absolutely insane," Rüegg said. "I honestly can’t really believe it. It’s just a dream, to win a Grand Tour stage."

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