Liane Lippert returns from long injury to lead Movistar Team at La Vuelta Femenina

The home Grand Tour lies ahead of Movistar Team ladies, starting this Sunday. La Vuelta Femenina offers a little bit for everyone, however the Spanish team might end up scrambling for whatever is left by teams with greater firepower such as SD Worx - Protime or Lidl-Trek.

Returning from her winter injury is the German champion Liane Lippert. The 26-year-old had an impressive run in 2023 when she managed to win a Tour de France Femmes stage, however her shape after a nearly seven-month racing break is up in the air.

Looking through the rest of Movistar's selection, it only remains to be seen whether any of the nominated ladies will step up and score in a race that can be seen as their sponsors' main objective.

Emma Norsgaard had an average spring, but we have seen that she can score a victory even when the odds are not in her favor, as she taught a lesson to sprinter teams in last year's Tour de France Femmes stage 6 when she rode away to a solo victory.

Another possible stage hunters in Movistar colours lists two climbers Olivia Baril and Mareille Meijering. Baril already raised her hands twice this year, both times in smaller Spanish races, but she also indicated solid form at Fleche Wallonne. Meijering is more of a bet on experience. The 29-year-old lady from Netherlands won Vuelta Extremadura in March and came ninth on Jebel Hafeet at UAE Tour, not that far behind winner Lotte Kopecky.

Liane Lippert
Olivia Baril
Mareille Meijering
Emma Norsgaard
Jelena Erić
Sara Martin
Sheyla Gutiérrez