Magnier “survives” Plešivica to claim fourth stage win

# Magnier Triumphs in Plešivica, Secures Fourth Stage Win at CRO Race

**October 4, 2025**

French cyclist Paul Magnier of Soudal Quick-Step has demonstrated his sprinting supremacy by clinching his fourth stage victory at the CRO Race during the fifth leg from Karlovac to Sveta Nedelja, which stretched 1,505 kilometers. In a thrilling finish, Magnier decisively outpaced Portuguese rider Rui Oliveira (UAE Emirates) and Spaniard Pau Miquel (Kern Pharma) to take the win.

“This morning, I thought I wouldn’t ‘survive’ the climb, but my coach convinced me I had to at least try,” Magnier shared post-race. “My teammates motivated me on the climb and prepared a great situation for me for the sprint. Tomorrow I will try to win the sixth stage too; I hope the roads won’t be too slippery even though the forecast is for rain.”

Meanwhile, American Brandon McNulty (UAE Emirates) maintains his lead in the general classification, holding a 1:39 advantage over Italian Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain Victorious) and a 1:49 lead ahead of Polish rider Michal Kwiatkowski (INEOS Grenadiers). Magnier has established a commanding lead in the blue jersey points classification, while Dutchman Casper van der Woude (Metec-Solarwatt p/b Mantel) leads the contest for the green jersey for best climber.

The stage saw an early breakaway group form, which featured Van der Woude along with teammates and competitors from various teams. In a strategy-focused display, Metec-Solarwatt p/b Mantel ensured that Van der Woude would capture points towards the green jersey and remained competitive throughout the stage.

As the day progressed, the gap of the breakaway group peaked at three minutes before being rapidly closed by the peloton during the last sixty kilometers. The final climbs saw the breakaway split, with Van der Woude again taking the lead heading towards Novo Selo Okićki before the peloton surged ahead, regaining control of the race.

The day was filled with excitement as Croatian cyclist Fran Miholjević (Bahrain Victorious) attempted a late attack, only to be caught just 300 meters from the finish line in Sveta Nedelja.

Festivities were held at the start and conclusion of the stage, with dignitaries such as the mayor of Karlovac, Damir Mandić, and officials from various municipalities present to celebrate the event.

The highly anticipated final stage of the CRO Race will take place this Sunday, covering 156.5 kilometers from Samobor to Zagreb.

The 2025 edition of the CRO Race, occurring from September 30 to October 5, spans nearly 1,000 kilometers across Croatia, showcasing teams from all three UCI categories: WorldTeams, ProTeams, and Continental Teams. Viewers worldwide can tune into the race on HRT and Eurosport, promoting both cycling and Croatia’s stunning tourism landscape.

This year, the event has garnered substantial support from various governmental institutions in Croatia, ensuring a successful celebration of cycling and local heritage. Key sponsorship from companies such as Hrvatska elektroprivreda, Valamar Riviera, and Škoda has helped the race flourish, alongside partnerships with the Croatian Cycling Union and media outlets.