CRO Race 2025 Stage 5

October 4, 2025 The penultimate stage moves away from the coast and heads firmly inland with a start in Karlovac, site of the confluence of the Kupa, Korana, Mrežnica, and Dobra rivers. Even though the stage will be important for the GC, the first 105KM of the 150KM race is almost completely flat with a small third category climb early on then two intermediate sprints in Brežani and Lasinja. The finale should start in Klinča Sela near the base of Novo Selo Okićko, a 1.5KM climb at almost 8% with the top coming 40KM from the finish. The next 15KM are downhill and flat until the final intermediate sprint in Jastrebarsko where the road rises for the start of the second category climb to Plešivica. The wine area of Plešivica sits on the slopes of the climb which is 7.4KM at 5%. Anyone who attacks and gets away will have to be a quality descender because off the top, there are 8KM of rolling downhill roads before a steep 2.5KM focused descent that brings the race into Samobor then Sveta Nedelja 5KM later for the finish. The break got away early under perfect racing conditions and a clear blue sky. In the group was Axel van der Tuuk and Casper van der Woude of Metec-SOLARWATT, Michał Żelazowski of Voster-ATS, Swann Gloux of Arkéa-B&B Hotels, Samuel Bertolli of Sicilia-Multicar Amarù, and Martin Voltr of ATT Investments. UAE-XRG had the group controlled and with 79KM to go, the gap to the six leaders was 2 minutes 40 seconds. Cohesion broke down in the break and with 55KM to go, van der Tuuk and van der Woude attacked with Voltr. The trio rode well together and came to the base of Novo Selo Okićko with a gap still holding at 2 minutes 40 seconds. They went over the top and were able to extended their advantage on the peloton who rode conservatively all the way up. Through the intermediate sprint in Jastrebarsko, the bunch picked up their pace to position for the climb to Plešivica. It was a drag race into the bottom won by Ineos who lined out the field. They stormed up the climb, through the vineyards, and caught the break like they were standing still. Even with the high pace, some of the sprinters were still in contact like Ben Turner of Ineos and Paul Magnier of Soudal Quickstep. UAE-XRG rode on the front with Tim Wellens to keep race leader Brandon McNulty safe but Bahrain Victorious and Ineos had numbers and wanted to be at the front for the possibility of a stage win. Bahrain Victorious led the group of around 35 riders through 1KM to go and continued until 500M from the line when the last lead out man dropped off. UAE-XRG stopped pulling because McNulty was safe which caused a big slowdown on the left side of the road. Magnier took advantage and used the slipstream to pop out to the right. He hit fresh air with 200M and was clear. Rui Oliveira of UAE-XRG followed the Frenchman and tried to come off the wheel but didn't have the speed and had to settle for second place with Pau Miquel of Equipo Kern Pharma sprinting in for third. The GC top 10 remained the same as this morning and with a short, flat sprint day tomorrow in Zagreb, positions should be locked as long as everyone makes it through safely.