Storer’s late attack stuns top favorites in Tour of the Alps stage 2

Something clicked between Michael Storer and the Tour of the Alps back in April 2022. That year, as in 2025, the Euroregional stage race concluded in Lienz—and the Australian surprised many by finishing second overall behind Romain Bardet.

On Tuesday, April 22nd, at the end of stage 2 of the 2025 Tour of the Alps—178 km from Mezzolombardo (Trentino) to Sterzing-Ratschings/Vipiteno-Racines (Südtirol/Alto Adige) —Storer delivered an even more impressive performance. Launching a decisive uphill attack on the short yet punishing Obertelves/Telves di Sopra climb, he dropped his GC rivals and crossed the finish line solo, with a 41-second gap.

It was one of the finest victories of the 28-year-old Perth native’s career. Based in Italy for several years, Storer now also dons the Melinda Green Jersey as the race’s GC leader. With the overall lead in hand, the Tudor Pro Cycling Team rider now faces the challenge of defending it in the intense battles to come before the finale in Lienz.

The sprint for second place was won by promising youngster Paul Seixas (Decathlon–AG2R), who had already taken third in San Lorenzo Dorsino the previous day. He edged out veteran countryman Romain Bardet (Picnic–PostNL).

Fourth place went to Davide Piganzoli (Polti–VisitMalta), followed by Monday’s winner Giulio Ciccone (Lidl–Trek), Jai Hindley (RedBull–BORA) in sixth, and Austrian climber Felix Gall (Decathlon–AG2R) in seventh.

In the general classification, Storer leads by 41 seconds over both Seixas and Ciccone, with Gall at 45”, Bardet at 47”, and Hindley at 51”. Italian GC hopeful Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain–Victorious) was forced to abandon the race mid-stage due to ongoing stomach issues.

FROM THE WINNER

“I started today with the goal of attacking on the final climb, but first I needed to see whether I was the strongest up there,” said Storer. “After the first acceleration, I could tell I was feeling good—after the second, I knew I had something extra compared to the others.”

“This has arguably been the best start to a season in my career, with a stage win at Paris–Nice and now this result here at the Tour of the Alps. My team’s support has made a huge difference. We’ve worked incredibly hard to prepare for this race, and today it really paid off.”

“This win gives me great confidence—I feel like I’m getting closer to the top climbers in the peloton, and I’m excited to prove it in the coming weeks. The tough part starts now: all the other teams will try to attack us, and every rider in the top 10 still has a legitimate shot at the overall win. We’re in for some intense days, but having a 41-second cushion is much better than having to chase.”

HOW THE STAGE UNFOLDED

The breakaway formed immediately after the start in Mezzolombardo, with Koen Bouwman (Jayco–AlUla) and Lukas Meiler (Team Vorarlberg) going clear at kilometer 1, soon joined by Fran Miholjevic (Bahrain–Victorious).

The first half of the stage—the longest and featuring the most elevation gain (3,750 meters) in this year’s race—was tough for both the leaders and the peloton. Meiler dropped out of the break at km 72, while Lidl–Trek controlled the bunch, keeping the escapees on a short leash. The break reached a maximum advantage of 5:06 at km 86.

A crash in a tunnel near Brixen/Bressanone took out Salvatore Puccio (INEOS Grenadiers), who fractured his left wrist and withdrew. Minutes later, Antonio Tiberi also abandoned, unable to continue due to persistent stomach issues.

The break was reeled in with around 50 km to go, shortly before the first pass through the finish line in Sterzing-Ratschings/Vipiteno-Racines, which preceded two final laps featuring the Obertelves/Telves di Sopra climb (4.2 km at 7%). On the first ascent, Polti–VisitMalta and then Decathlon–AG2R set a hard pace, but eased off after the summit, allowing dropped riders to rejoin.

The real selection came on the second climb. Decathlon–AG2R launched a one-two attack, first with Gall and then Seixas, causing significant damage. Storer countered powerfully, forming a select group with Gall, Seixas, and Ciccone, while Hindley opted to climb at his own pace.

Not content, Storer attacked again—this time decisively. Cresting the summit with a 10-second lead, he pushed hard on the descent while the chasing group—Seixas, Bardet, Piganzoli, Ciccone, Hindley, Gall, Caruso, and Cepeda—struggled to organize, losing precious seconds.

And so it was that Storer arrived solo at the finish in Sterzing-Ratschings/Vipiteno-Racines, claiming one of the most memorable wins of his career.

STAGE 3: THE FURKELPASS/PASSO FURCIA AWAITS IN STERZING-RATSCHINGS/VIPITENO-RACINES–INNICHEN/SAN CANDIDO

Wednesday’s third stage (April 23rd) is fully set in Südtirol/Alto Adige: 145.5 km from Sterzing-Ratschings/Vipiteno–Racines to Innichen/San Candido. The start features 55 km of relatively flat terrain, perfect for a fast opening, but the rest of the stage climbs dramatically.

Riders will face the Antermoia ascent—new to the Tour of the Alps—followed by a wide, flowing descent into the valley and the approach to the day’s queen climb: the Furkelpass/Passo Furcia. Known for its relentless double-digit gradients, it will favor pure climbers.

After the Furcia descent, the peloton will pass under the finish line in San Candido for the first time before tackling a final 21 km circuit, featuring the Monte Versciaco climb (5 km, tough gradients), followed by a technical descent—one last opportunity for a decisive move in this South Tyrolean finish.

A TRIBUTE TO SARA PIFFER AND ROAD SAFETY IN MEZZOLOMBARDO

Tuesday morning was marked by emotion and remembrance, as a tribute was held in Mezzolombardo in memory of Sara Piffer, a promising 19-year-old Trentino cyclist from Palù di Giovo who tragically lost her life while training earlier this year.

Joining the ceremony was Marco Scarponi, on the eighth anniversary of the death of his brother Michele—an unforgettable figure in cycling and the first-ever stage winner of the Tour of the Alps (2017, Innsbruck). Authorities in attendance included Trentino Governor Maurizio Fugatti and Vice President Francesca Gerosa, Italian Cycling Federation President Cordiano Dagnoni, Professional Cycling League President Roberto Pella, and FCI Trentino President Renato Beber.

TOUR OF THE ALPS ON TV

Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23rd, the third stage of the Tour of the Alps will be broadcast live from 12:30 to 14:30. The whole TV distribution breakdown is available on tourofthealps.eu.