Results Giro d'Abruzzo 2026 Stage 4 - INEOS take general classification and stage win as emotional Kevin Vauquelin triumphs in final stage
CyclingFriday, 18 September 2026 at 15:33
Kevin Vauquelin landed a big victory in the final stage of the Giro d'Abruzzo on Friday afternoon, not only taking the stage win on an uphill finish, but also sweeping up the general classification by two seconds ahead of second place on the stage, Matthys Rondel.
The Giro d'Abruzzo heated up on Friday with a medium mountain stage, featuring 183 kilometres and four categorised climbs, including a double ascent to the finish line as the climbers fancy their chances for victory in Italy.
The day's early breakaway saw five riders go up the road in an ultimately fruitless attempt at victory. Andrii Ponomar, Joshua Golliker, Lorenzo Ginestra, Ben Morin and Andrea Pietrobon made up the group.
With just over 40 kilometres to go, and the day's break being caught, Lennart Jasch and Lorenzo Galimberti tried attacks that ultimately didn't stick before the day's big move came.
Decisive move as formidable trio go clear
With Matthys Rondel and Nikola Conci on the attack with 27 kilometres to go, Kevin Vauquelin joined them as they formed a formidable trio out front.
Their gap slowly rolled out over the next kilometres as it grew to over a minute with just 15 kilometres to go as it became clear that not only would the break fight for the win, but looked set to command the general classification on the final stage of the race.
The three up front began the mind games as they traded the workload, but their lead was quickly shrinking as the attacks came from the bunch and their gap reduced to 40 seconds.
Mathys Rondel
Vauquelin, Conci and Rondel battle for the win in finale
Jan Castellon tried to bridge across before the climb's slight dip and steep finale to the top of the ascent. Meanwhile, Conci appeared to try to squeeze Vauquelin and Rondel before the Astana man attacked with 7.2 kilometres to go. But Vauquelin countered over the top to bring the three riders back together as their lead extended on the climb and Castellon was caught.
The trio at the front pushed on as they tentatively tested eachother's legs, but it would ultimately come down to the final 1.5 kilometres and a climb to the finish as the proposition of a general classification win made for a cagey finale.
Their gap dropped as low as 37 seconds before Vauquelin and Rondel both attacked in the first half of the climb. Wout Poels attacked from behind in the peloton as the trio lined up a sprint to the line.
Rondel jumped first from behind, Vauquelin responded as Conci was distanced. The Frenchman closed the gap and came around in the final 100 metres as INEOS made their efforts at the race count in the end, thanks to Dorian Godon marking attacks in the finale.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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