The first uphill finish of the Sibiu Tour 2026 belongs to Lorenzo Finn. The Ligurian from Red Bull BORA hansgrohe left no room for his opponents, dropping everyone on the slopes of the tough final climb towards Paltinis Arena where, winning by 9 seconds over Byron Munton (Modern Adventure) and 50" over Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), he took the new leader's jersey in the general classification.

THE RACE

Despite several attacks in the early stages, it takes until the first categorized climb of the day (the third category Alămor) before the breakaway takes shape. It is formed by Mads Andersen and yesterday's first semi-stage winner Matias Malmberg (Swatt Club), Adam Lewis and Conn McDunphy (APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery), Anton Lennemam (BIKE AID), Andrew Frank (Competitive Edge Racing), Tamas Hancz (Hungary) and David Lewandowski (NSN Devo), with the latter taking the points at the summit for first place.

Cooperating with good understanding, the eight manage to extend their margin over a peloton from which, surprisingly, Fabrice Lefevre (Tartelletto-Isorex) tries to break away at one point. The Belgian, in his attempt to rejoin the head of the race, stays for several kilometers in a holding pattern but, failing to succeed immediately, is eventually reabsorbed by the group. Meanwhile, up front the breakaway riders extend their gap beyond two minutes, which allows them to contest without problems both the intermediate sprint at Sebes (won, like the previous one at Pauca, by Malmberg) and the climb at Dumbrava (first again Lewandowski), after which Andersen decides to let himself be caught by the group, leaving his breakaway companions to their fate.

In the following kilometers, these riders see their advantage progressively reduced due to the pace set in the group by UAE and Red Bull who, approaching the penultimate climb of the day at Apold (again taken by Lewandowski), bring the group to just over a minute behind, setting the stage for a reunion that, after the intermediate sprint at Sacel (Malmberg first again), materializes 14 km from the finish already on the first slopes of the final climb.

Here, after the initial work by UAE, it is Lorenzo Finn who breaks the deadlock, attacking decisively about 12 kilometers from the finish. The Italian's move makes an immediate difference as only Pablo Torres manages to get on his wheel and then hold it, but even the Spaniard after a couple of kilometers must raise the white flag and let the unstoppable Ligurian rider go alone. Taking advantage of his excellent form in recent weeks, he quickly extends his lead over Byron Munton (who has meanwhile, thanks to a good recovery from behind, become his first pursuer) and without any faltering goes on to impose himself forcefully, securing his first professional victory and the top spot in the general classification.

Behind him, a determined Munton, maintaining the same pace in the final as the young Italian talent, takes second place at the finish, closing at a short distance, while with a significantly larger gap Torres takes the last podium position of the day, finishing fifteen seconds ahead of a small group regulated in the sprint by Walter Calzoni (Pinarello-Q36.5), fourth ahead of the returning Kyrylo Tsarenko (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali), Adrià Pericas (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Jannis Peter (Unibet Rose Rockets).

STAGE RESULTS

1. Lorenzo Mark Finn (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) 3:47:52

2. Byron Munton (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling) at 0:09

3. Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) at 0:50

4. Walter Calzoni (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) at 1:05

5. Kyrylo Tsarenko (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) at 1:05

6. Adrià Pericas (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) at 1:05

7. Jannis Peter (Unibet Rose Rockets) at 1:05

8. Marcel Camprubí (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) at 1:07

9. Iván Ramiro Sosa (Equipo Kern Pharma) at 1:07

10. Mark Donovan (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) at 1:08

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Lorenzo Finn Mark (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) 6:24:12

2. Byron Munton (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling) at 0:36

3. Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) at 0:55

4. Mark Donovan (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) at 1:16

5. Marcel Camprubí (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) at 1:18

6. Kyrylo Tsarenko (Unibet Rose Rockets) at 1:21

7. Jannis Peter (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) at 1:21

8. Walter Calzoni (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) at 1:26

9. Adrià Pericas (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) at 1:29

10. Sergio Meris (Unibet Rose Rockets) at 1:33

OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS

Points classification: Matias Malmberg (Swatt Club)

Mountains classification: Lorenzo Finn Mark (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe)

Best young rider classification: Lorenzo Finn Mark (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe)

Photo credit: Focus Photo Agency

Thanks to George and Andreea for the essential logistical support provided during the final of today's stage.