The Italian rider from LIDL-Trek returns to winning ways on home soil, claiming the opening stage of the Tour of the Alps and responding to friendly teasing from tennis star Jannik Sinner. Behind him, strong rides from Decathlon-AG2R’s Felix Gall and rising French prospect Paul Seixas. Encouraging signs from Bardet and Hindley, while defending champion Lopez, Tiberi, and Geoghegan Hart lose time. The day began with a minute of silence in tribute to Pope Francis
The uphill finish in San Lorenzo Dorsino seemed tailor-made for Giulio Ciccone’s explosive climbing style, and the Italian made good on those expectations. On Monday, April 21, Ciccone stormed to victory in the opening stage of the 48th edition of the Tour of the Alps, ending a 22-month winless streak and showcasing his trademark panache.
The 2025 Tour of the Alps’ opening stage took place entirely in Trentino, with a start and finish in San Lorenzo Dorsino. Ciccone ended his drought—dating back to June 11, 2023, at the Critérium du Dauphiné—by powering away in the final final meters of a 7% gradient ascent, proving the perfect terrain for his explosive move.
Ciccone held off strong competition from Decathlon-AG2R’s duo: Austrian Felix Gall and emerging French talent Paul Seixas, underlining the race’s reputation as a launchpad for cycling’s future stars.
Among those keeping pace in the final climb was Romain Bardet (Team Picnic PostNL), who finished fourth and confirmed his credential on these roads after winning the 2022 edition. Rounding out the top ten were Florian Stork (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Michael Storer (Tudor), Max Poole (Team Picnic PostNL), Jefferson Cepeda (EF Education – Easypost), and Matthew Riccitello (Israel – Premier Tech). Further down the standings, defending champion Juan Pedro Lopez (LIDL-Trek) and Italian Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain-Victorious) lost 14 seconds, Derek Gee (Israel Cycling Academy) ceded 35, and Tao Geoghegan Hart dropped 1 minute and 8 seconds—though he’ll take solace in LIDL-Trek’s team success.
CICCONE: “SINNER TEASED ME... NOW WE’RE EVEN”
“I’m really happy to be back racing after a long altitude training camp—and to start with a win here in Italy makes it even more special,” said a visibly emotional Ciccone. “This was a much-needed result, especially mentally, after a tough 2024 where I came close several times but couldn’t quite finish it off.”
“Just yesterday I was chatting with my friend Jannik Sinner—we’ve been training together on the bike recently—and he joked that after driver Antonio Giovinazzi’s win at the 6 Hours of Imola, I was the only one of our group still winless this year. Not anymore! Now we’re all square. I’m sure he’s watching and will keep following the race, even more as we’ll soon pass by his hometown, Sesto Pusteria.”
“In professional sport, whatever the discipline, it’s never easy to stay 100% focused—especially during high-altitude training when you’re away from your loved ones. Having a friend like Jannik helps keep your spirits up.”
“I feel like I started this season on the right foot. I’ve worked hard, especially on time trials, which have always been a weak point for me. After a frustrating 2024, this win means a lot. Now I just want to stay calm and focused as we approach the Giro—knowing I’m back at 100%.” “But first, there’s the Tour of the Alps—and we’re just getting started. Today’s stage showed how deep and competitive the field is. Not everyone has played their cards yet. I’m feeling good and confident.”
HOW IT UNFOLDED
The 48th edition of the Tour of the Alps began with a minute of silence, observed by the entire peloton, following the news of Pope Francis’s passing just moments before the start.
100 riders rolled out from San Lorenzo Dorsino, kicking off the five-day race across the Euregio region of Tirol–Südtirol/Alto Adige–Trentino. The action began early, with Davide Bais (Polti-VisitMalta), AJ August (INEOS Grenadiers), and Finlay Pickering (Bahrain Victorious) forming the first breakaway.
Their lead peaked at 4 minutes and 30 seconds before the field, led by Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe and then LIDL-Trek, reeled them back ahead of the Passo Duron. Another move by Pickering and Eddie Dunbar didn’t stick either, and a subsequent attack by Cepeda (EF Education), cresting the second-category climb with a 15-second lead, was also neutralized before the final 10 km.Mattia Bais launched a solo move on familiar roads and briefly gained a 15-second advantage, but he was caught with 2 km to go. In the final stretch, LIDL-Trek’s strategy came to fruition, setting up Ciccone’s powerful uphill sprint to victory—his first of the season, coming along his very first Melinda Green Leader’s Jersey.
THE RACE LEADERS’ JERSEYS AFTER STAGE 1
Melinda Green Jersey – General Classification: Giulio Ciccone (LIDL-Trek)
Gruppo Cassa Centrale Blue Jersey – King of the Mountains: Finlay Pickering (Bahrain Victorious)
Würth Red Jersey – Points Classification: Giulio Ciccone (LIDL-Trek)
Forst White Jersey – Best Young Rider: Paul Seixas (Decathlon-AG2R)
Black BAZR Jersey – Breakaway King: Davide Bais (Polti-VisitMalta)
TOMORROW’S STAGE 2: MEZZOLOMBARDO TO STERZING-RATSCHINGS/VIPITENO-RACINES
Tuesday’s Stage 2 (April 22) spans 178 km and 3,750 meters of elevation—the longest and the one with the greatest elevation of the 2025 edition. The peloton will head from Mezzolombardo, in Trentino, to Sterzing-Ratschings/Vipiteno-Racines in Südtirol/Alto Adige.
After a flat 20 km start, riders will face three steady climbs—Monte San Pietro, San Valentino di Sopra, and Castelrotto—in the first half. The latter portion features a gradual climb to Vipiteno, followed by two laps of a 15 km finishing circuit, each including the punishing Telves di Sopra climb (4.2 km at 7%). It will be a crucial test for GC hopefuls and for LIDL-Trek’s ability to control the race with the standings still wide open.
A TRIBUTE TO SARA PIFFER
The start in Mezzolombardo will feature a moving tribute to Sara Piffer, the 19-year-old Italian cyclist who tragically lost her life in a training accident nearby. At 10:15 AM, a remembrance ceremony will be held in her honor, attended by her family, local authorities including the Governor and Vice Governor of Trentino, and representatives from the Michele Scarponi Foundation, which advocates for road safety in memory of the late Italian champion who won his final race at the Tour of the Alps in 2017.
THE #TOTA ON TV
Stage 2 of the Tour of the Alps will be broadcast live on Tuesday, April 22, from 13:30 to 15:30 (CET).
