LIVE stage 4 Tour of Switzerland 2025 | Get ready for the mountain goats: first big altitude battle ahead

The fourth stage could be described as the first real mountain stage. But the riders won't have it any easier in Switzerland than they did in the first 110 kilometers from the start in Heiden. It's almost completely flat: The riders start at Lake Constance, on the border with Germany and Austria. The race then heads south, crossing the border with the mini-country of Liechtenstein.

It is not until Thusis that the road starts to climb, although the ascent to that village is gradual. However, this is where the Splügen Pass begins, albeit unofficially. The climb is split into two parts: the first is to Sufers, a hamlet on the Sufnersee. There is a third category climb there at 5.7% for 3.4 kilometers. But in reality, the riders have already been climbing for more than 17 kilometers.

Less than nine kilometers later, there is a golden kilometer in Splügen, where some bonus seconds can be earned. From there, the Splügen Pass, or Passo Spluga as it is known in Italy, officially begins. With 8.8 kilometers at 7.3%, it doesn't seem like a leg-breaker, but the summit is at an altitude of 2,117 meters. Moreover, the riders will already have been climbing for over 35 kilometers, and some gradients reach 12%. That's going to hurt no matter what.

The Splügen Pass also serves as the border crossing to Italy, so the fourth stage does not finish in Switzerland. A long descent of at least 40 kilometers follows to Chiavenna, the finish line. But we're not finished yet: there is an intermediate sprint 8 kilometers from the finish, after which the road climbs slightly through the center of the Italian town to the finish in Borgonuovo.

Climbs
128.5 km: Sufers (3.4 km at 5.7%)
146 km: Splügenpass (8.8 km at 7.3%).

Times
Start: 12:10 PM local time (06:10 AM EDT)
Finish: approx. 4:45 PM local time (10:45 AM EDT)

It's fantastic cycling weather in Heiden! The temperature will be around 22 degrees, with bright sunshine and a gentle tailwind for most of the race. The temperature will drop slightly over the Splügen Pass but hardly fall below 20 degrees. In Italy, at the finish in Chiavenna, it will even be around 28 degrees, with a headwind.

This is the first real climb, so we expect to see the real favorites for the GC at the front for the first time. However, the long descent could majorly affect the race's outcome. But looking at the field of participants, it's hard to ignore João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates - XRG), who remains the top favorite for the overall victory. Whether the Splügen Pass will be tough enough to shake off his rivals remains to be seen.

In the high mountains, few participants seem to match the qualities of the Portuguese rider, but if anyone can do it, it's probably Felix Gall. A pure climber like no other: the Austrian from Decathlon AG2R is a rare breed these days. The same goes for Juan Pedro López (Lidl-Trek): a typical featherweight who will be at his best at high altitudes.

His teammate Tao Geoghegan Hart hopes to prove in the Tour de France that he still belongs among the elite. You have to show what you're made of in stages like these. We haven't even mentioned Ben O'Connor: the Australian from Jayco-AlUla is in great shape and has a 2-minute lead over his closest rivals. His form has been mediocre so far, but could he now take the leader's jersey?

Other good climbers to watch out for include Belgians Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal Quick-Step) and Laurens De Plus (INEOS Grenadiers), although the latter lost some time in stage one. He crossed the finish line with Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe): the Russian will be hoping for a better day. Also, Matthew Riccitello, Michael Woods (Israel - Premier Tech), Javier Romo (Movistar), Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious), Clément Champoussin and Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS-Astana) should be mentioned.

But at the top of the rankings are two names that are in an excellent position. Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) is second and is an excellent climber. But what can we expect from leader Romain Grégoire? The Frenchman from Groupama-FDJ is not usually someone for the high mountains, but he is in excellent form, and his descending skills are even better. If he gets dropped, there is a good chance he will find his way back to the front.  

Top favorite: João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates - XRG)
Outsiders: Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R), Ben O'Connor (Jayco-AlUla), Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ), Clément Champoussin (XDS-Astana) and Tao Geoghegan Hart (Lidl-Trek)
Long shots: Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal Quick-Step), Laurens De Plus (INEOS Grenadiers), Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana), Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious), Matthew Riccitello (Israel-Premier Tech) and Juan Pedro López (Lidl-Trek)