The Giro d’Italia Women moves decisively into the high mountains on stage four with the first summit finish of the race expected to shape the general classification. The 142km route from Castello Tesino to Pianezze climbs steadily throughout, with the final 11.2km averaging 7.2% and kicking up to 11% inside the final kilometre.
After the sprint victory for Lorena Wiebes in Trento, Wednesday’s profile will be all about the climbers. Pianezze has history – it’s the climb where Fabiana Luperini began her legend, and it returns now as the most selective finish yet of this year’s race.
One of the hardest finishes of the week
It’s a slow burn to the base of Pianezze. The peloton will first ride across lumpy terrain via Feltre and Vittorio Veneto, then tackle the short, sharp Muro di Ca’ del Poggio, a 1.2km wall that averages 12% and has featured in both men’s and women’s editions of the Giro in recent years. From there, the riders roll through the UNESCO-listed prosecco hills, but there’s no celebrating the views.
The finale begins in Valdobbiadene with the Pianezze climb – 11.2km long, shaded by forest and full of hairpins. The upper slopes open out into exposed fields, and on a clear day, the Adriatic is visible from the top. But all the focus will be on the gaps opening on the gradients below.
GC contenders to the fore
Anna van der Breggen, fourth overall at 35 seconds, is emerging as a leader once again for SD Worx-Protime despite expectations she’d play a supporting role to Lotte Kopecky. She already won a stage at the Vuelta in her comeback season, and this sort of long, steady climb is where she’s traditionally at her best.
Closest rival on paper is Marlen Reusser, the Swiss powerhouse from Movistar, who trails Anna Henderson by 13 seconds. Reusser has been climbing better than ever in 2025, winning stage races in Burgos and Switzerland, and could take pink if her steady rhythm carries her through the steepest sections.
Henderson herself still leads the GC and was impressive on the climb to Aprica. But her team has made it clear that Shirin van Anrooij, sixth overall, is their designated leader. Either could lose time on Pianezze, which may be a turning point in Lidl-Trek’s tactical play.
Other names to watch include FDJ-Suez’s Juliette Labous, Évita Muzic, and Elisa Longo Borghini, who will be desperate not to let Van der Breggen or Reusser get away. Antonia Niedermaier of Canyon-SRAM and Sarah Gigante of AG Insurance-Soudal have looked eager on the climbs and could benefit if the pace is high from the base. Riders like Yara Kastelijn and Pauliena Rooijakkers need to start making up time if they are to have any role in the GC later in the week.
This is one of only two summit finishes in the race, with the other coming on stage 7 at Monte Nerone. For the GC hopefuls, there’s no time to wait.
Photo Credit: LaPresseWhat’s on offer
- Date: Wednesday, 9th July
- Distance: 142km
- Start/Finish: Castello Tesino – Pianezze
- Climbs:
- Muro di Ca’ del Poggio
- Pianezze (11.2km at 7.2%, max 11%)
- Intermediate terrain: Undulating throughout
Prediction
If form and history are anything to go by, Anna van der Breggen will be hard to beat on Pianezze. She looks increasingly like the strongest climber in the race and could take both the stage and the maglia rosa. Keep an eye on what Marlen Reusser does though.
