ZAMBANINI PODIUMS ON THE TOUGHEST DAY SO FAR AT THE TOUR OF BRITAIN

# Zambanini Shines in Challenging Stage at Tour of Britain

In what has been hailed as the most demanding leg of the 2025 Lloyds Bank Men’s Tour of Britain, Edoardo Zambanini demonstrated his climbing prowess by finishing third in a grueling 186.9-kilometer stage from Atherstone to Burton Dassett. As riders faced the steep challenges of the Warwickshire hills, Zambanini’s performance stood out against a backdrop of stunning English countryside, complemented by bright sunshine and enthusiastic crowds.

The day unfolded with a small breakaway trying to forge a gap, only to be tightly reeled in by the peloton, culminating in an electrifying finale at the Burton Dassett Hills Country Park. It was a stage marked by significant tactical maneuvering, particularly as the French duo of Julian Alaphilippe (TUD) and Romain Grégoire (GFC) pulled ahead from the remaining group.

Zambanini, the 24-year-old Italian climber from Bahrain Victorious, aimed to capitalize on the final climb, which he noted suited him well: “Today was a profile with a finish just right for my abilities and characteristics.” However, Zambanini found himself temporarily blocked, which hampered his ascent just as Alaphilippe and Grégoire launched their sprint for the line. “Unfortunately, I was just a bit closed off on the toughest section… my pace was just a bit less because of the break in my rhythm,” he explained, adding that despite the setback, he felt strong throughout the day.

Bahrain Victorious’ Sports Director Aart Vierhouten expressed his admiration for the team’s coordination during the fourth of six stages. “We were all in with three riders for the final: Afonso, Pello & Zamba… They all did their jobs well today,” he noted. Despite missing out on the win, Vierhouten emphasized that the team’s strength bodes well for the next challenges ahead: “We had the goal to win today, so we are not 100% satisfied, but the boys did show that they are strong.”

As the tour progresses into its last two days, the race now heads to Wales, where Saturday’s stage presents an even steeper challenge. The riders will tackle 133 kilometers featuring four categorized climbs, including two ascents of the notorious cat 1 ‘The Tumble,’ which boasts an average gradient of 7.3%.

With the next stage poised to be a decisive test, both Zambanini and his team are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the Tour of Britain.