Ivo Oliveira has once again showcased his extraordinary cycling prowess by winning the fourth stage of the Tour des Abruzzes 2025 on Friday, April 18, 2025. The Portuguese rider from UAE Team Emirates XRG triumphed at the Sanctuary of San Gabriele, located in Isola del Gran Sasso, outpacing his breakaway companion Sjoerd Bax from Q36.5 Pro Cycling.
This latest victory adds to Oliveira's impressive week, having already clinched the second stage earlier in the competition. The final stage was a challenging 167 kilometers long, featuring nearly 2,400 meters of elevation gain, which tested the riders' endurance and climbing skills. The route stretched from Corropoli to Isola del Gran Sasso, presenting numerous climbs, both categorized and uncategorized, that significantly impacted the race dynamics.
The stage began with eight riders forming a breakaway group, which included notable names such as George Bennett from Israel Premier Tech, Federico Guzzo from S.C Padovani, Alexandre Balmer from Solution Tech Vini Fantini, Martin Marcellusi from VF Group Bardiani, Joel Suter from Tudor Pro Cycling, Alessandro Tonelli from Polti VisitMalta, and of course, Oliveira himself.
The Intermarché-Wanty team, keen on keeping the breakaway in check, allowed the leaders a maximum gap of just two minutes, primarily due to the presence of George Bennett, who was only slightly over two minutes behind in the general classification. As the race progressed, the breakaway's numbers dwindled, losing three riders about thirty kilometers from the finish, but they managed to keep a lead of over one minute on the peloton as they approached the final climbs.
With just 18 kilometers remaining, Oliveira and Bax broke away from their fellow escapees, setting the stage for a thrilling sprint finish. Despite a late charge from the peloton, which was aided by the efforts of teams like VF Group Bardiani, Petrolike, and Tudor Pro Cycling, the duo maintained their lead. In a nail-biting finish, Oliveira proved his mettle, out-sprinting Bax to claim the stage victory.
Giovanni Bortoluzzi from Generale Store finished the sprint for the chasing peloton, coming in 12 seconds behind Oliveira and Bax, with Filippo Fiorelli from VF Group Bardiani following closely behind. Meanwhile, Georg Zimmermann from Intermarché-Wanty secured the overall general classification title, finishing 11 seconds ahead of David De La Cruz from Q36.5 Pro Cycling, while Pablo Torres from UAE Team Emirates XRG rounded out the podium.
Oliveira’s win not only highlights his exceptional form but also signals his potential as a key player in future races. The Tour des Abruzzes has proven to be a platform for emerging talents and established stars alike, with Oliveira firmly establishing himself among the elite with this double victory.
The final standings of the fourth stage reflect Oliveira's dominance, with Sjoerd Bax finishing second and Giovanni Bortoluzzi taking third in the sprint for the peloton. The overall classification concluded with Georg Zimmermann taking the top spot, followed by David De La Cruz and Pablo Torres, showcasing a competitive field throughout the event.
As the cycling world looks ahead, Oliveira's performance at the Tour des Abruzzes will undoubtedly be a talking point, particularly as he continues to build momentum leading into the cycling season. His ability to perform under pressure and his strategic racing have marked him as a rider to watch in upcoming competitions.
In conclusion, Ivo Oliveira's victory at the Tour des Abruzzes 2025 not only adds another win to his growing list of achievements but also solidifies his status as a formidable force in the world of professional cycling. With the season still young, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how he leverages this success in future races.
