Stage 4 Preview: first opportunity for the sprinters in Lecce

After three spectacular days of racing, the Giro d’Italia 2025 bids farewell to Albania and resumes in Puglia following the rest day, during which part of the race caravan transferred via charter flight and another part by ferry. The 189 km Alberobello (Pietramadre) – Lecce stage will be the first in Italy and will kick off a trio of stages tailored for the fast men.

No difficulties on the road to Lecce

After the start from Alberobello, a candidate for the title of Italian Capital of Culture 2027, the peloton will ride through the iconic trulli and face the short and gentle rise toward Putignano (900 meters at 6%) after 16 km, which will also be the only climb of the day. In Lecce, the race enters the final circuit just after passing the finish line. Nearly the entire 12 km circuit will be covered before crossing the finish again and taking on a full lap. The final bend comes 1200 meters from the line, and the wide roads should allow for a clean, classic bunch sprint.

We will see the sprinters

After struggling through the first three stages in Albania, the sprinters will finally find terrain that suits them. The most anticipated is Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike), who will have to contend with Sam Bennett (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Matteo Moschetti (Q36.5), Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Milan Fretin (Cofidis), Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep), and Giovanni Lonardi (Polti VisitMalta), all ready to battle it out. The current Maglia Rosa Mads Pedersen (Lidl Trek), shouldn’t be overlooked either as the Dane will surely be chasing valuable points for the Maglia Ciclamino.