In a stunning comeback that has reignited her cycling career, Anna van der Breggen of Team SD Worx-Protime clinched victory at stage 4 of La Vuelta Femenina 2025 on Wednesday, May 7, marking her first win since returning to professional racing after a three-year hiatus. The 35-year-old from Zwolle, who had not won a race in nearly four years, showcased her tactical brilliance with a decisive move that left her competitors in awe.
Van der Breggen’s victory comes just a day after her teammate, Femke Gerritse, claimed the stage win on May 6, boosting the team’s morale and confidence. The SD Worx team had initially planned for Gerritse to lead the charge again on the final climb, but Van der Breggen saw an opportunity and seized it. “I definitely didn’t expect to win today,” she admitted in a post-race interview. “It wasn’t the plan either. All of a sudden, I found myself off the front. I saw the moment and just went.”
Her last victory was on stage two of the Giro d’Italia Donne in 2021, before she took a break from the sport to serve as a sports director. Van der Breggen’s return has been nothing short of remarkable, as she has already shown her mettle in previous races, finishing second at Strade Bianche in March 2025.
The stage was marked by a challenging final climb, which had been anticipated to be a decisive moment in the race. Van der Breggen launched her winning attack at the bottom of the descent, a move that was not part of the original strategy. “We knew it was going to be a hard one. The plan was actually to go for it with Gerritse again,” she explained, referring to her teammate’s impressive performance the day before.
After her solo effort, Van der Breggen crossed the finish line to the disbelief of her teammates, who had not realized she had broken away. “Wait... how did that just happen?” they exclaimed, clearly shocked by the turn of events. This victory not only adds a stage win to her impressive resume but also positions her second overall in the general classification, just four seconds behind Gerritse, who holds the overall lead.
Van der Breggen’s performance has sent a clear message to her rivals in the general classification, especially with the next stages promising to be even more challenging. “This is in the pocket, so really good days for us to start with,” she remarked, acknowledging the tough road ahead. Stage five on May 8 will feature a mountain top finish at Lagunas de Neila, a grueling 6.5km climb with an average gradient of 9.1%, preceded by the Alto de Rozavientos.
As the competition heats up, Van der Breggen is poised to face formidable challengers, including Demi Vollering, who is currently 17 seconds behind her. The pace on the climbs has been brutal, and Van der Breggen anticipates that the group will likely split again, leading to fierce battles for the coveted maillot rojo.
“Things are going really well,” she said, reflecting on her team’s performance. “But today the pace was pretty brutal on the climb, so it will likely split again into a small group. It is going to be a fight.” With her confidence soaring after this stage win, Van der Breggen is ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead.
The excitement surrounding La Vuelta Femenina 2025 continues to build, especially with the spotlight on Van der Breggen’s comeback and her ambitions for the Red Jersey. Fans are eager to see if she can maintain her momentum and secure a top position as the race progresses. With the upcoming stages promising to test the limits of all competitors, the cycling world is watching closely.
As the race unfolds, one thing is clear: Anna van der Breggen is back, and she is not just racing to participate; she is racing to win. Her tactical acumen, combined with her undeniable skill, sets the stage for an exciting showdown in the mountains ahead. Will she reclaim her place at the top of the general classification? Only time will tell, but her victory today has certainly made her a formidable contender.
