Stage 4 of La Vuelta a España 2025 unfolded with all the hallmarks of a transitional day in the mountains, yet it proved decisive both for the sprinters and the general classification. From the start in Italy, the riders faced two categorised climbs and a long, fast run across the French Alps into Voiron, a parcours that encouraged attacking racing but ultimately favoured a reduced sprint.
The first major action came on the Exilles climb, where Jonas Gregaard, Kelland O’Brien, Joel Nicolau and Simone Petilli established the opening move. Their advantage never stretched far, and after several reshuffles Lukas Nururkar tried to bridge across before Sean Quinn, Louis Vervaeke, Mario Aparicio, Kamiel Bonneu and Nicolau emerged as the day’s main break. The polka dot battle animated their moves: Nicolau and Vervaeke exchanged points across Exilles, Montgenèvre and the long Col du Lautaret, with Nicolau doing enough to secure the climbers’ jersey by the finish. Quinn also showed aggression, attacking near the summit of Lautaret to briefly ride alone before being absorbed again.
Photo Credit: Unipublic/Naike EreñozagaThe peloton, largely managed by Lidl-Trek and Alpecin-Deceuninck, kept the escapees within reach, rarely allowing more than three minutes. On the descent into Briançon and the long run to the intermediate sprint in Noyarey, Lidl-Trek accelerated to keep Mads Pedersen in contention. The Dane delivered by taking maximum points ahead of Ethan Vernon and Jake Stewart, tightening the green jersey battle. Bruno Armirail then launched a solo counter with 30km remaining, holding a gap of close to a minute for several kilometres before the sprint teams inevitably reeled him in with 15km to go.
The closing phase was hectic and nervous, as cross-town sections and street furniture split the peloton. A crash at 10km to go brought down Jay Vine, George Bennett and Fernando Barceló, though all remounted and finished. The GC contenders kept themselves clear of danger, with David Gaudu staying at the front while Jonas Vingegaard was caught further back, a detail that would later prove costly in the time splits.
Photo Credit: Unipublic / Cxcling / Antonio BaixauliAs the flamme rouge approached, Ineos Grenadiers and Arkea-B&B Hotels led through the final corners, with Alpecin-Deceuninck and Lidl-Trek battling to bring Philipsen and Pedersen into position. Vernon also remained well-placed in the Israel-Premier Tech train. Q36.5 provided a brief surge to string things out, but the finishing straight remained chaotic, with no single team able to dictate.
Into the final 200 metres, Turner emerged from the wheels, launching a powerful sprint that surprised the established fast men. He held off Philipsen, who came late but could not pass, while Vernon closed strongly for third. Pedersen, boxed in, missed his chance. Behind them, Gaudu finished well enough to take the red jersey from Vingegaard, whose position deeper in the bunch cost him critical placings with the times matched.
Photo Credit: Unipublic / Cxcling / Antonio BaixauliFor Turner, it was the breakthrough of his career, arriving after a last-minute selection and built on the confidence gained from strong summer racing. The stage also reshaped the race narrative: the sprint favourites remain without a win, and the general classification leadership has changed hands once more, setting up further intrigue as La Vuelta moves out of the Alps and into Spain proper.
