Favorites stage 4 Tirreno-Adriatico 2025 | If van der Poel and co. wait too long there is hope for the sprinters

After an incredibly tough day of 239 kilometers through rain and wind, the riders face another grueling day on the fourth day of the Tirreno-Adriatico. Anything is possible with a climb right from the start, 190 kilometers on the program, and a difficult, categorized climb halfway through the race towards the final. IDLProCycling.com shows you what to expect.

Course stage 4 Tirreno-Adriatico 2025

RCS Sport does not like the new cycling. According to boss Mauro Vegni, grand tours should have stages of 200 kilometers or more. Time trials are essential, and there should be something for everyone. Climbers, punchers, and sprinters should not feel like they are overlooked. In that respect, day four is somewhere in the middle. The punchers can expect a flat finish, while the sprinters must climb 2,610 meters before they can even think about sprinting.

As mentioned, we will start climbing immediately, with 14.3 kilometers at an average of 4.3 percent. After a nasty stretch, we descend to Antrodoco before an uncategorized climb of 7.5 kilometers at 4.9 percent awaits. After a short descent, the Valico la Crocetta climb follows, which at 12.4 kilometers at 5.7 percent is anything but easy. Most of the climbing is done when we reach the top after 104 kilometers.

All that will remain is to see who is still there and who has been dropped. Sprint teams can still do much work in the final 90 kilometers, but a strong breakaway also has a chance. If it does come down to a sprint, there is minimal risk to Trasacco in the final. Shortly after entering the last 2 kilometers, there is another right-hand turn, after which we speed along Via Roma to the line, which is shown as a slight incline in the profile.

Read more below the finish map.

Times
Start: 4:50 AM EST
Finish: around 11:43 AM EST

Weather stage 4 Tirreno-Adriatico 2025

After a heavy downpour, it will certainly not remain dry for the riders on Thursday. The various weather stations are slightly inconsistent at the start in Norcia, where the sun may be shining but where there is also a 40 percent chance of rain later. After that, the riders will need their raincoats again, even though it will sometimes be dry along the route. At the finish in Trasacco, we follow Buienradar, which predicts dry and slightly sunny weather on Thursday. Theoretically, the riders will not be affected by the wind.

Favorites stage 4 Tirreno-Adriatico 2025

We expect a good battle between the breakaway and the sprinters. Those who want to battle will have every opportunity in the first 105 kilometers. And so we will be watching Mathieu van der Poel, who is usually unafraid of a day in the breakaway in a stage race. He can easily get 30 riders to join him, but of course, we are looking for riders who can pull it off on the Via Roma, should it become necessary.

Magnus Cort is an interesting asset for Uno-X, as is Rick Pluimers of Tudor. Both have already shown themselves strong this season and have a fierce sprint. But there are many more like them, of course. Alex Aranburu (Cofidis), Tim van Dijke (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), and Casper Pedersen (Soudal-Quick Step) are also fast men who can climb a hill and form a breakaway. And, of course, Andrea Vendrame (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) pulled off a swift sprint on Wednesday and won the stage. The fourth stage also seems to suit him.

Continue reading below the photo

Magnus Cort

There are others, but of course, some are also in the service of their sprint or GC leader. A bunch sprint is also very realistic, with 90 kilometers to go downhill or flat after the day's last climb. Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) is the man to beat, but his painful crash in the third stage could play a part. Furthermore, Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike), Paul Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ), Casper van Uden (Picnic-PostNL), Paul Magnier (Quick Step), and Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco-AlUla) will make their teams work if they are still there.

Maikel Zijlaard (Tudor), Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), and Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers) are among those who might do well to send someone in the breakaway. But if it comes down to a sprint, they might as well go for it.

Favorites stage 4 Tirreno-Adriatico 2025, according to IDLProCycling.com

Top favorites: Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) and Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Outsiders: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Magnus Cort (Uno-X), Paul Magnier (Quick Step), Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco-AlUla) and Paul Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ)
Long Shots: Tim van Dijke (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Andrea Vendrame (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Rick Pluimers, Maikel Zijlaard (Tudor), Casper van Uden (Picnic-PostNL), Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers)

Bram van der Ploeg (Twitter: @BvdPloegg | email: [email protected])     

Read also

Almeida overtakes Vingegaard at the last moment after 'shivering' Paris-Nice stage

Course and results Tirreno-Adriatico 2025 | Another rainy transition stage ahead

Rain in Tirreno, Milan crashes, Ganna and Van der Poel try but Vendrame wins the stage

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get every week the latest news about CYCLING in your inbox!

Subscribe