The Lioness Roars Again: Anna van der Breggen dominates Nevegal TT

It took months to readjust to the pace and demands of modern cycling, but at 36 years of age, Anna van der Breggen is roaring once again, just as she did before her three-year hiatus from the sport. With a truly monumental performance, the experienced Dutch rider dominated the 12.7-kilometre Belluno–Nevegal time trial, which featured a 7.4-kilometre climb in its final section. She put 1’04” into world time trial champion Marlen Reusser (Movistar Team) and 1’10” into the pre-race favourite for the 2026 Giro d’Italia Women, Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ).

Already a four-time winner of the Giro d’Italia Women, Anna van der Breggen returns to the Maglia Rosa five years after last wearing it and 11 years after claiming her first stage victory in the race. It is still early days, but a Van der Breggen in this kind of form will be very difficult to dislodge

Longo Borghini now forced to chase

Among the main contenders, the rider who struggled the most was defending champion Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ), who finished ninth, 1’51” behind the flying Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx–Protime). The result leaves the Italian facing a Giro on the back foot, forcing her onto the attack in the coming days — perhaps as early as tomorrow, when the peloton gets its first real taste of the Dolomites on the stage from Longarone to Santo Stefano di Cadore.

In a time trial that sparked plenty of debate among equipment specialists — with some riders opting for full time trial setups featuring aero frames, deep wheels and TT helmets, while others preferred standard road race configurations — the best Italian performer was Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco), who finished fifth. Notably, she was the only rider among the leading contenders to opt for a disc wheel.

Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek), meanwhile, took a much more relaxed approach, enjoying her final day in the Maglia Rosa almost as a victory lap. The Italian crossed the line more than nine minutes behind the stage winner, content to savour her time in pink before handing over the race lead.

To check all the rankings after Stage 4, CLICK HERE