Sosna, Marchet Win UCI Women's Prologue
Torpado Kenda FSA riders took the first Elite Women's Prologue at FNB Wines2Whales, opening the 2026 Chardonnay race in South Africa.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Cycling
Katazina Sosna and Giorgia Marchet of Torpado Kenda FSA won the first-ever UCI Elite Women's Prologue at Lourensford Wine Estate, edging Efficient Infiniti Scott Shimano's Alexis Skarda and Samantha Sanders in a sprint finish. The event opened the 2026 Chardonnay race.
Why it matters
The debut Elite Women's Prologue signals expanded visibility for women's road cycling within the FNB Wines2Whales event. Rider numbers across the three events grew significantly compared to 2025.
Women's participation rose 20% year-on-year, with the Prologue covering two laps of a 9-kilometre circuit featuring 180 metres of climbing. Results beyond the opening Prologue have not yet been established.
The players
Katazina Sosna
Sosna is a Torpado Kenda FSA rider who won the Elite Women's Prologue alongside Giorgia Marchet in a sprint finish.
Giorgia Marchet
Marchet is a Torpado Kenda FSA rider who shared the Prologue victory with Katazina Sosna.
Alexis Skarda
Skarda rides for Efficient Infiniti Scott Shimano and finished second in the Prologue alongside Samantha Sanders.
The details
Three teams established themselves at the front after the first lap: Torpado Kenda FSA, Efficient Infiniti Scott Shimano and e-Fort. The contest narrowed on the second lap to Sanders and Skarda against Sosna and Marchet, with Moschetti and Fasolis of e-Fort finishing third.
Timeline
Thursday evening: Elite Women's Prologue opens the 2026 Chardonnay race
Friday: Stage 1 runs 61 kilometres from Lourensford to Oak Valley Estate
Season Trajectory
The inaugural Elite Women's Prologue at FNB Wines2Whales marks a new structural addition to the Chardonnay race, opening the 2026 edition with a women's-specific format. Rider growth across all three events suggests the race is expanding its competitive field year over year.
Fantasy and standings followers should note that Sosna and Marchet opened the 2026 Chardonnay race with a sprint win, establishing an early lead. Stage 1 rain forecasts could alter how the next day's racing unfolds for riders across all categories.
The takeaway
Expanded women's programming at FNB Wines2Whales reflects broader growth in participation across the event's categories. Readers following the race can track stage-by-stage results on the official series site as the Chardonnay race unfolds.
What happens next
Stage 1 covering 61 kilometres from Lourensford to Oak Valley Estate is scheduled for Friday, with nearly 1,200 amateur riders joining the elite teams.
Further reading
For broader context on women's racing across the calendar, explore Cycling coverage.
More information
Full results are available on the FNB Wines2Whales full stage results page.
