Sarah Gigante delivered a huge performance on stage 4 of the Giro d’Italia Women, dropping the GC favourites on the final climb to Pianezze and riding solo to the biggest victory of her career. The 24-year-old Australian attacked with 1.7km remaining and quickly carved out a decisive gap on Elisa Longo Borghini and Marlen Reusser, who were unable to respond.
The 11.2km summit finish to Valdobbiadene provided the first true climbing test of this year’s Giro and completely reshaped the general classification. Reusser, who had lost the maglia rosa on stage 2, reclaimed it by finishing third, 25 seconds behind Gigante, while Longo Borghini outsprinted her to take second on the day.
GC favourites tested on Pianezze
The early part of the stage saw a quartet of riders – Alessia Vigilia, Lorena Wiebes, Eleonora Camilla Gasparrini and Lieke Nooijen – build a lead of over three minutes. Wiebes won both the intermediate sprint in Revine and the KOM points on the Muro di Ca’ del Poggio, but the breakaway began to lose ground once the GC teams increased the pace approaching the final climb.
On Pianezze, Reusser was the first to attack from the favourites’ group, triggering a major selection with around 6km remaining. Lotte Kopecky and race leader Anna Henderson were among those dropped as the front group narrowed to Longo Borghini, Reusser, Gigante, Antonia Niedermaier and Pauliena Rooijakkers.
Reusser pushed the pace again at 2.8km to go, and when Gigante launched her own attack shortly afterwards, only Longo Borghini and Reusser could attempt to follow. The Australian pulled clear on the steep gradients and held her gap all the way to the line.
Henderson loses maglia rosa
Having taken the race lead on stage 2, Anna Henderson came into the day with a slender 16-second buffer over Longo Borghini. But she was distanced early on Pianezze and finished well off the pace, surrendering both the jersey and significant time in the GC battle.
Reusser now holds a 9-second lead over Longo Borghini, with Gigante climbing to third at 34 seconds. Niedermaier also gained ground and moves into fourth overall.
Stage 4 marked the Giro’s first major climbing test, and it delivered a clear shake-up in the overall standings. For Gigante, it was not just a stage win but confirmation of her return to form following a run of injury setbacks in recent seasons.
2025 Giro d’Italia Women Stage 4 result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: LaPresse
