The fourth stage, which started in front of Pula’s Arena, also brought the hardest climb of this year’s CRO Race – Učka. The stage win was, however, decided in the sprint
Columbian Daniel Martinez (Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe) has won the fourth stage of this year’s CRO Race from Pula to Rijeka over a distance of 160 kilometres. In the final sprint among a small bunch of five cyclists, Martinez came out on top ahead of Belgian rider Louis Vervaeke (Soudal Quick-Step) and Slovenian Domen Novak (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).
The fourth stage, which started in front of Pula’s Arena, also brought the hardest climb of this year’s CRO Race – Učka. The winner was, however, decided in the final sprint, after the lead group was joined by French rider Sam Maisonobe (Cofidis), who attacked in an attempt to take the stage. Although he finished fifth in the end, his attack did bring him up to fourth place in the general classification. This is Martinez’s first win since February 2024. That same year, the Columbian also took second place at the Giro d’Italia.
“The stage was very demanding because a lot of riders tried to join the breakaway. My team had a good strategy, I covered all the dangerous attempts and took my chance for the win. It’s always nice to win, especially after such a long time. I came to this race with the goal of winning a stage,” said Martinez after his victory.
Svarre keeps his lead, changes in the GC standings
The top of the general classification remains unchanged after stage four. In the lead is still 22-year-old Danish rider Tobias Svarre (Uno-X Mobility), who is four seconds ahead of Italian Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious), with Belgian Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in third eight seconds down on the leader.
Svarre also remains in the white jersey for best young rider. The blue points jersey is still being worn by his teammate, Danish rider Carl-Frederik Bevort, while Italian rider Antonio Tiberi is also still wearing the green climber’s jersey (Bahrain Victorious).
Thanks to his fifth-place finish in today’s stage, Sam Maisonobe (Cofidis) has moved up to fourth place in the GC.
Before the final sprint, the fourth stage was full of attacks and changes in the lead group. After more than 60 kilometres, German rider Lennard Kämna (Lidl-Trek), Belgian Louis Vervaeke (Soudal Quick-Step), and Spaniard Gorka Sorarrain (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) attacked off the front. Vervaeke made it over the top of the first categorised climb at Čambarelići ahead of Sorarrain and Kämna.
Vervaeke soon dropped back to the peloton, while Kämna and Sorarrain kept on in the breakaway. They were joined by Danish rider Julius Johansen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), American Samuel Boardman (Modern Adventure), and Slovenian Mihael Štajnar (Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana). Just before the start of the climb up Učka, the leading five’s gap had grown to two minutes.
Kämna ramped up the pace mid-climb, and the other breakaway riders simply couldn’t keep up. The German rider reached the top 48 seconds ahead of Sorarrain, while the GC leaders’ group reached the top of Učka 1:15 after Kämna.
During the descent, the main group caught up with Sorarrain, while Kämna increased his lead to a minute and a half. He was gradually reeled in through the remainder of the stage, however, and the final sprint fell to a group of five riders led by Martinez.
The fifth stage of CRO Race is on the schedule for Saturday, with a 164.5-kilometre course from Karlovac to Sveta Nedelja.
The race will end on Sunday, 27 September, with a grand finale at Zagreb’s Jarun lake. This year’s 22.th edition of CRO Race began on 22 September in Split; its six stages will lead the riders throughout Croatia.
In addition to its sporting aspect, for years, CRO Race has also played an important role in promoting Croatia as a tourist destination. Television broadcasts and photos from the stages will present Croatia’s cities, coastline, natural landscapes, and cultural heritage to viewers worldwide. Since its first edition, CRO Race has been supported by the highest state institutions; this year’s edition is held with the support of the Croatian government, the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the Croatian Tourist Board, the city of Zagreb, and numerous other cities and counties hosting stages.
At the start of stage four in Pula, the riders were greeted by Pula’s mayor Peđa Grbin, Istria County representative Mladen Pavićević, and Pula Tourist Board director Sanja Cinkopan Korotaj. At the finish line on Rijeka’s Riva, alongside numerous spectators, the cyclists were welcomed by Primorje-Gorski Kotar County head Ivica Lukanović, Rijeka’s mayor Iva Rinčić, Kvarner Tourist Board director Marijana Kalčić, and Rijeka Tourist Board director Antonija Karudum.
Once again, this year’s CRO Race brings together elite cycling and the promotion of Croatian destinations; the final two stages will present yet another chance for various parts of Croatia to present themselves to an international audience – from Karlovac and Zagreb to the grand finale at Zagreb’s Jarun lake.
