2026 Giro d'Italia Women Stage 4 Results & Recap
Stage 4 of the 2026 Giro d'Italia Women is in the books. The final results and standings are below, followed by our recap of how the race unfolded.
Race Recap
Anna van der Breggen Blows Apart GC in Nevegal Time Trial Masterclass
Anna van der Breggen delivered a statement ride on Stage 4 of the Giro d'Italia Women, crushing the competition in the uphill time trial to Nevegal and taking the GC reins.
The Team SD Worx-Protime rider stormed up the 12.7-kilometre climbing test in 31 minutes and 38 seconds, finishing a staggering 1:04 ahead of world champ Marlen Reusser (Movistar Team) and 1:10 clear of Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ). The dominant performance vaulted Van der Breggen into the maglia rosa and established her as the clear favorite for overall victory.
Stage 4 was always expected to provide the first major general classification showdown of the race. Featuring 750 metres of elevation gain and more than four kilometres of climbing at double-digit gradients, the course rewarded riders capable of combining time trial power with elite climbing ability.
Early in the afternoon, the benchmark time changed hands several times before Solène Muller (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93) briefly occupied the hot seat. The pace rose dramatically once the favorites began their efforts.
Marlen Reusser, the reigning world time trial champion, laid down the first truly elite performance of the day. Opting for a road bike setup, the Swiss rider crossed the line in 32:42 to move decisively into the lead and immediately became the rider everyone else had to beat.
Antonia Niedermaier (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto) came closest to challenging Reusser at that stage, producing an impressive ride to finish just 22 seconds slower. The German national time trial champion continued her excellent Giro and strengthened her standing among the race's emerging GC contenders.
Attention then shifted to Demi Vollering, who had chosen a lightweight time trial setup designed specifically for the steep climb to Nevegal. The FDJ United-SUEZ leader appeared competitive throughout the course and eventually finished second at the time, crossing the line only six seconds slower than Reusser.
But the day belonged to Van der Breggen.
Starting nine minutes after Vollering, the Dutch veteran delivered an extraordinary ride. She obliterated every intermediate benchmark before powering across the finish line in 31:38, more than a minute faster than Reusser and comfortably ahead of every other contender.
Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ), one of the pre-stage favorites, was unable to match the pace of the leading trio and lost valuable time in the battle for the overall classification.
When the dust settled, Van der Breggen not only claimed the stage victory but emerged from the day with a commanding advantage in the general classification. Reusser moved into second overall at 1:04, while Vollering sits third at 1:10. Niedermaier remains well positioned in fourth at 1:26, while Longo Borghini faces a deficit of 1:51 heading into the remaining mountain stages.
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