Milan Fretin win stage 4 contentious sprint finale at 2025 Volta ao Algarve

Fretin outsprinted his rivals on the uphill stage to Faro with the race jury upholding his sprint against Van Aert who finished seventh

As the riders upped the pace on the slightly uphill finish, Fretin did seem to cut across Van Aert, hindering the Visma rider's capabilities to sprint at full pelt. The race jury seemingly didn't agree though, as Fretin's victory has held up under review. "I still have to watch it back, but I did feel that he passed me," Van Aert admitted. "I thought I was in a good position for the last corner, but the lead-out then went off the lead."

Nevertheless, Van Aert isn't looking to place blame “A gap was created and I had to sprint for a very long time afterwards. But in the end I just wasn't strong enough in the sprint. Hats off to Fretin. If you can win on a finish like that. In any case, I'm no longer among the fastest Belgians. Even though it was tough, it has to be a bit tougher for me, so that the other sprinters have to let go.”

VIDEO: 2025 Tour of the Algarve Stage 4 Highlights

2025 Tour of the Algarve Stage 4

1 Fretin Milan Cofidis 04:03:31
2 Meeus Jordi Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 00
3 Ganna Filippo INEOS Grenadiers + 00
4 De Lie Arnaud Lotto + 00
5 Girmay Biniam Intermarché-Wanty + 00
6 Mihkels Madis EF Education-EasyPost + 00
7 van Aert Wout Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 00
8 Buratti Nicolò Bahrain Victorious + 00
9 van Uden Casper Team Picnic PostNL + 00
10 Stuyven Jasper Lidl-Trek + 00