Spring Showdowns: April Highlights

April 2025 delivered a spectacular run of races, shaping the trajectory of the season with fierce cobbled battles, tactical climbs, and milestone wins. Here’s a full recap of the key events across men’s and women’s pro cycling, plus standout performances and who to watch going forward.

Tour of Flanders (April 6, 2025)

The 109th Ronde van Vlaanderen saw Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) master the cobbles once again. He attacked decisively on the Oude Kwaremont and rode solo to victory, finishing ahead of Wout van Aert (Lidl-Trek) and Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates).

In the women's edition, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) secured her third Tour of Flanders win. She attacked on the Paterberg and held off Marianne Vos (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek).

Itzulia Basque Country (April 7–12, 2025)

This six-day Spanish stage race served up classic Basque terrain: steep climbs, unpredictable weather, and tactical battles. UAE Team Emirates' João Almeida emerged victorious with consistency and late-race brilliance.

Key Stages and Developments

• Stage 1 (ITT): Maximilian Schachmann (Soudal Quick-Step) won the opening time trial.

• Stage 4: Almeida attacked late and took over the GC lead.

• Stage 6: Almeida sealed the overall win with a powerful sprint finish against Enric Mas.

Final Standings

1. João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) – 20h 04' 49"

2. Enric Mas (Movistar Team) – +1' 52"

3. Maximilian Schachmann (Soudal Quick-Step) – +1' 59"

• Points Classification: João Almeida
  
• Mountains Classification: Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale)
  
• Young Rider: Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates)
  
• Teams Classification: Soudal Quick-Step

Paris–Roubaix (April 13, 2025)

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) conquered the Hell of the North with a gritty solo win through dust and cobbles. Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers) and Wout van Aert (Lidl-Trek) joined him on the podium.

In the women's race, Lotte Kopecky made it a double for April. She attacked on the Carrefour de l'Arbre and soloed into Roubaix Velodrome ahead of Elisa Balsamo and Marianne Vos.

Amstel Gold Race (April 20, 2025)

Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers) claimed his biggest classic win to date, outsprinting Mathieu van der Poel and Benoît Cosnefroy after a decisive move over the Cauberg.

Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) topped the women's podium, launching her attack on the Cauberg and holding off Katarzyna Niewiadoma and Elisa Longo Borghini.

La Flèche Wallonne (April 23, 2025)

Tadej Pogačar returned to the top step with a well-timed burst on the Mur de Huy, ahead of Julian Alaphilippe and Michael Woods.

Demi Vollering made it two from two in the Ardennes, winning atop the Mur against Liane Lippert and Marta Cavalli.

Liège–Bastogne–Liège (April 27, 2025)

Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) delivered a vintage solo attack on La Roche-aux-Faucons to take his second LBL win, ahead of Pogačar and Pidcock.

Demi Vollering completed her Ardennes triple, dropping her rivals on La Redoute and soloing to glory. Longo Borghini and Moolman-Pasio completed the podium.

Tour de Romandie (April 23–May 5, 2025)

The Swiss stage race was a key tune-up for Grand Tour contenders. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) took overall victory after a consistent and composed performance throughout the six-day race.

Key Stages and Developments

• Prologue (Payerne, 4 km): Magnus Sheffield (INEOS Grenadiers) won the short time trial.

• Stage 2 (Fribourg to Salvan, 171.3 km): A mountain-top finish where Adam Yates took the lead.

• Stage 5 (Aigle to Villars-sur-Ollon, 151.2 km): A summit showdown confirmed Yates as the strongest climber in the race.

Final Standings

1. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) – 20h 32' 18"

2. Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers) – +47"

3. Romain Bardet (dsm-firmenich PostNL) – +1' 12"

• Points Classification: Adam Yates
  
• Mountains Classification: Rémi Cavagna (Movistar Team)
  
• Young Rider: Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ)

Riders to Watch

• João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates): showed maturity and control in the Basque Country and will be a GC threat in the Grand Tours.
• Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost): continues to impress with aggressive tactics and a stage win at Itzulia.
• Demi Vollering (FDJ–Suez): dominated the Ardennes, winning Amstel, Flèche and Liège back-to-back.
• Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx–Protime):  reaffirmed her classics dominance with Flanders and Roubaix wins.

Looking Ahead

The season moves into Grand Tour territory:

• Giro d’Italia (May 10–June 1) – Starting in Albania, featuring two ITTs and tough mountain stages.

Giro d’Italia 2025: Riders to Watch

As the first Grand Tour of the year gets underway, the list of favourites is as exciting as it is deep. Here are the likely contenders:

• Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates): Although focusing on the Tour, Pogačar's raw talent and climbing ability mean he’s always a threat if he rides.

• Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates): After winning Romandie and showing great consistency, Yates is considered a top contender for the pink jersey.

• João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates): A strong GC and Time-Trial rider who showed maturity and control in the Basque Country. If team leadership falls his way, he could go all the way.

• Primož Roglič (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe): Experienced and with a Giro win already on his palmarès, he’s back to try again. If form is good, he's hard to beat.

• Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers): The 2023 runner-up still has the legs and leadership to contend.

• Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale): Consistent climber with Grand Tour pedigree; a dark horse to watch.

Expect fierce battles in the mountains and decisive moves in the time trials as the 2025 Giro unfolds.