Vuelta Femenina: Lotte Kopecky wins hectic stage 4 sprint and uses bonus points to claim red leader's jersey

Lotte Kopecky of SD Worx-Protime secured a hard-fought victory on stage 4 of the Vuelta Femenina, finally breaking her streak of near misses with a powerful uphill sprint finish. She edged out her teammate Anna van der Breggen, who took second place, while Letizia Paternoster of Liv AlUla Jayco claimed third. The stage featured a long breakaway by Lauretta Hanson and Marta Jaskulska, who were caught just 2.5 kilometres from the finish, setting the stage for a dramatic bunch sprint. The 115.6-kilometre route from Monforte de Lemos to Antas de Ulla was characterised by rolling terrain and two third-category climbs, which shaped the race dynamics. Early attacks saw a four-rider breakaway establish a lead, with Marine Allione securing mountain points and the polka-dot jersey. Despite the break’s strong effort, the peloton, led by teams including SD Worx-Protime and FDJ United-Suez, gradually reeled them in, culminating in a high-tempo finale that neutralised the escapees and set up the sprint showdown. Kopecky’s victory not only gave her the stage win but also propelled her into the overall race lead, as she claimed the red leader’s jersey thanks to a 10-second time bonus. Reflecting on the day, Kopecky praised her team’s patience and tactical execution, highlighting the crucial support from teammates who controlled the race and positioned her perfectly for the final sprint. She also noted the importance of securing bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint to edge past the previous leader, Franziska Koch. The stage outcome emphasises SD Worx-Protime’s dominant form and strategic depth, with Kopecky and van der Breggen delivering a one-two finish that strengthens their grip on the general classification. As the race progresses, Kopecky’s ascendancy adds a new dynamic to the competition, with rivals now needing to respond to her combined sprinting prowess and consistent climbing. The coming stages promise further tactical battles as contenders aim to challenge the new red jersey holder.