Zambanini Podiums at Tour of Britain

The 2025 Lloyds Bank Men’s Tour of Britain

Riders at the 2025 Lloyds Bank Men’s Tour of Britain faced their biggest challenge of the race so far on Friday, an 186.9 hilly kilometres between Atherstone and Burton Dassett, ending on a fiendish ramp where Edoardo Zambanini showed his strength to finish third.

It was a beautiful stage through the central English countryside in the county of Warwickshire, played out in glorious sunshine in front of large crowds, as the event seems to be grabbing the attention of the British public heading into the final weekend.

The day began with the customary small breakaway going clear but being held on a tight leash by the peloton, and the four escapees were duly caught on the finishing circuit around Burton Dassett Hills. The country park provided a scintillating finale, as a French duo of Julian Alaphilippe (TUD) and eventual winner Romain Grégoire (GFC) broke free from a much-reduced leading group. Full of energy and with excellent legs on the day, Bahrain Victorious’ Italian climber ‘Zamba’ made his move to follow, but being slightly out of position, he was blocked, and had to brake just as he started to accelerate. The 24-year-old did manage to get around the group, but it was a moment that prevented him from fighting for victory on a climb he believes really suited him:

“Today was a profile with a finish just right for my abilities and characteristics. The group split before the finale, which was steep for about 600-700m, then flattened out for the end. I felt good all day and was in a good position thanks to the team. We were right there in the front twenty riders as we got to that last km, and I still felt good. Unfortunately, I was just a bit closed off on the toughest section, and I had to stop pedalling a couple of times, once on the left and once on the right. That second one was as the road went right, and just as Julian & Romain started their sprint. They got a bit of a gap and a bit of speed, and my pace was just a bit less because of the break in my rhythm. But I gave it all I had all the way to the line, and I know I rode well today, as did all the team.”

Sports Director Aart Vierhouten was impressed by the team’s work on the fourth of six stages, albeit slightly frustrated to miss out on the win:

“We were all in with three riders for the final: Afonso, Pello & Zamba. Freddie [Fred Wright] was our joker to do something on the penultimate lap, with Zak and Matevž there to help with positioning before the closing climb. They all did their jobs well today, and when we saw Remco [Olympic Champion Remco Evenepoel, SOQ] go off the front with four guys, we did everything to close the gap. Fred did an amazing job and even took the lead on the way up before the bell. So, we kind of controlled the race at that point, and then Fred led in again with Pello, Afonso & Zamba, although only Zamba could hold his position on the steepest part. His goal was a top finish, and he was a bit squeezed at a couple of points. Afonso was the 15th wheel and just had too many people to pass, so he couldn’t go all out, which was a shame. We had the goal to win today, so we are not 100% satisfied, but the boys did show that they are strong, and that bodes well for the Queen Stage tomorrow.”

The last two days will take place across the border in Wales, with Saturday the biggest test of the week. The start in Pontypool is a prelude to 133 km with four categorised climbs, including twice up the cat 1 ‘The Tumble’. It is an ascent of 5.5 km, with an average gradient of 7.3%, but the middle 2000m ramps up to nearly 12%. When they reach the top for the second time, the finish line awaits.