João Almeida forces way back into GC contention at 2025 Tour de Suisse with solo stage 4 success

João Almeida has bounced back from the disappointment of a big-time loss on stage 1 with a stunning solo win on stage 4 of the 2025 Tour de Suisse, getting himself right back into GC contention in the process.

A strong eight rider group got up the road and into the early breakaway. The attackers being: Neilson Powless (EF Education - EasyPost), Quinn Simmons Lidl - Trek), Andrew August (INEOS Grenadiers), Georg Zimmermann (Intermarché - Wanty), Thomas Gloag (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Marius Mayrhofer and Larry Warbasse (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) and Sébastien Grignard (Lotto).

Once the break reached the day's big test however, the Cat 1 Splügenpass, things immediately started to break up in the lead group. The peloton also started to close the gap quickly once the road headed upwards too, and with 54km to go, all attackers were caught by an ever-diminishing bunch being led by UAE Team Emirates - XRG.

With Joao Almeida taking matters into his own hands as they closer to the top of the climb, the Portuguese leader of UAE was soon all alone at the front of the race, having ridden everyone else out of his wheel.

By the top of the climb, Almeida was 43 seconds over a chase group containing the likes of Ben O'Connor, Oscar Onley and Kevin Vauquelin, with the Maillot Jaune wearing Romain Gregoire 1:23 down the road.

With it downhill for pretty much of the final 40km following the climb, the chase group needed to work cohesively if they were going to bring back Almeida on the descent. In actual fact however, the Portuguese was only extending his advantage, 56 seconds the gap at 30km to go.

As Gregoire began to close in on group 2 behind, Vauquelin and O'Connor sensed their chance of gaining time on the Maillot Jaune slipping away and attacked group 2, with the action closing the time to lone leader Almeida in the process.

At 15km to go, Almeida's lead had been cut to 40 seconds, with Gregoire almost in touching distance of the Vauquelin and O'Connor group, making contact with 12km to go.

For the final 10km, the road started to gently rise again, but with Almeida still 40 seconds clear, it looked as if the UAE man was taking the stage. Still 36 seconds clear into the last 2km, Almeida could start to think of his finish line celebrations and a 19th pro win in his career.