On May 7, 2025, Anna van der Breggen made a sensational return to the cycling world by winning stage 4 of La Vuelta Femenina, marking her first victory since her comeback. The 35-year-old rider for Team SD Worx-Protime executed a brilliant solo attack on the descent of Puerto de El Buste, crossing the finish line in Borja 12 seconds ahead of her nearest competitors.
The stage, a challenging 111.6 km route from Pedrola to Borja, featured two classified climbs, including the Alto del Moncayo and the Puerto de El Buste, which set the stage for an exciting finish. Early in the race, the peloton maintained a high pace, preventing any successful breakaways until the first climb. Justine Ghekiere of AG Insurance-Soudal took maximum points at the Alto del Moncayo, solidifying her lead in the mountain classification.
As the race progressed, the competition heated up at the intermediate sprint in Novallas, where race leader Femke Gerritse claimed six bonus seconds, followed closely by Demi Vollering and Marianne Vos. This sprint was crucial for Gerritse, who aimed to maintain her overall lead.
The peloton tackled the Puerto de El Buste with less than 18 km to go. As they approached the final climb, the pace intensified, leading to a split in the group. Liane Lippert from Movistar launched an attack near the summit, but it was Van der Breggen's decisive move that changed the race dynamics. With 7 km remaining, she seized the opportunity to break away during a lull in the chase group's speed.
“I did not expect this at all. It was not the plan,” Van der Breggen remarked after her victory. “We were with a small group on the downhill, and at that point, I was alone. The speed went out, and I saw a good moment, so I went.” Her instinctive attack proved successful as she powered through the technical last kilometer, increasing her lead to 12 seconds.
Behind her, Marianne Vos sprinted to second place, finishing ahead of Demi Vollering. Vos expressed her determination, stating, “I knew I had to give everything in the sprint to secure that second place.” Vollering, who had been a favorite for the overall title, finished third but remained a strong contender.
Despite being dropped on the final climb, Gerritse managed to rejoin the main group and finished seventh, thus retaining her red jersey. She leads Van der Breggen by just four seconds in the general classification, with Vos trailing by ten seconds. “I’m really happy to keep the jersey,” Gerritse said. “It’s going to be a tough battle in the coming stages.”
The upcoming stage 5 promises to be a pivotal moment in the race, featuring the first mountain top finish at Lagunas de Neila. This stage is expected to test the climbers, with the general classification likely to see significant changes.
“Tomorrow will be a real test,” Van der Breggen acknowledged, looking ahead to the challenges that lay ahead. “The speed on the climb was hard, and you saw how small the group was, so it’s going to be fighting for sure.” With her recent win, Van der Breggen has solidified her status as a serious contender for the overall title.
As the race unfolds, fans are eagerly anticipating how the dynamics will shift in the coming days. With several strong competitors vying for the top positions, La Vuelta Femenina is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. The rivalry between Van der Breggen, Gerritse, Vos, and Vollering will undoubtedly keep spectators on the edge of their seats.
In conclusion, Anna van der Breggen's victory in stage 4 has reignited her career and set the stage for an exciting battle in the mountains. As the peloton prepares for the next leg of the race, all eyes will be on the climbers, with the potential for dramatic shifts in the general classification.
