CYCLING – Team Bahrain Victorious rider Edoardo Zambanini secured an impressive podium for third yesterday as the field competing in the 2025 Tour of Britain faced their biggest challenge of the race so far.
The race’s fourth of six stages featured 186.9 hilly kilometres between Atherstone and Burton Dassett, ending on a fiendish ramp where Zambanini showed his strength.
It was a beautiful stage through the central English countryside in the county of Warwickshire, played out in glorious sunshine in front of large crowds, as the event seems to be grabbing the attention of the British public heading into the final weekend.
The day began with the customary small breakaway going clear but being held on a tight leash by the peloton, and the four escapees were duly caught on the finishing circuit around Burton Dassett Hills.
The country park provided a scintillating finale, as a French duo of Julian Alaphilippe of Tudor Pro Cycling Team and eventual winner Romain Gregoire of Groupama-FDJ broke free from a much-reduced leading group.
Full of energy and with excellent legs on the day, Bahrain Victorious’ Italian climber, nicknamed ‘Zamba’, made his move to follow, but being slightly out of position he was blocked, and had to brake just as he started to accelerate.
The 24-year-old did manage to get around the group, but it was a moment that prevented him fighting for the victory on a climb he believes really suited him.
“Today was a profile with a finish just right for my abilities and characteristics,” said Zambanini. “The group split before the finale, which was steep for about 600m to 700m, then flattened out for the end. I felt good all day, and was in good position thanks to the team. We were right there in the front 20 riders as we got to that last kilometre, and I still felt good.
“Unfortunately I was just a bit closed off on the toughest section and I had to stop pedalling a couple of times, once on the left and once on the right. That second one was as the road went right, and just as Julian and Romain started their sprint. They got a bit of a gap and a bit of speed, and my pace was just a bit less because of the break in my rhythm. But I gave it all I had all the way to the line, and I know I rode well today, as did all the team.”
Bahrain Victorious sports director Aart Vierhouten was impressed by the team’s work on the fourth of six stages, albeit slightly frustrated to miss out on the win.
“We were all in with three riders for the final: Afonso [Eulalio], Pello [Bilbao], and Zamba; Freddie [Wright] was our joker to do something on the penultimate lap, with Zak [Erzen] and Matevz [Govekar] there to help positioning before the closing climb,” Vierhouten explained.
“They all did their jobs well today, and when we saw Remco [Olympic Champion Remco Evenepoel of Soudal Quick-Step] go off the front with four guys, we did everything to close the gap.
“Fred did an amazing job and even took the lead on the way up before the bell. So we kind of controlled the race at that point, and then Fred led in again with Pello, Afonso and Zamba, although only Zamba could hold his position on the steepest part.
“His goal was a top finish, and he was a bit squeezed at a couple of points. Afonso was 15th wheel and just had too many people to pass, so he couldn’t go all out which was a shame. We had the goal to win today, so we are not 100 per cent satisfied, but the boys did show that they are strong, and that bodes well for the Queen Stage tomorrow.”
The last two days will take place across the border in Wales, with today’s programme the biggest test of the week.
The start in Pontypool is a prelude to 133km with four categorised climbs, including twice up the category one ‘The Tumble’.
It is an ascent of 5.5km, with an average gradient of 7.3 per cent, but the middle 2,000m ramps up to nearly 12 per cent. When they reach the top for the second time, the finish line awaits.
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