Mathias Vacek triumphs in the fourth stage of Tour de Wallonie following a day that mirrored the Ardennes Classic competition
The Tour de Wallonie, a multi-stage race held in the Wallonia region of Belgium, is often compared to a "mini-Liège-Bastogne-Liège" due to its challenging, hilly Ardennes terrain and inclusion of classic climbs. The 2025 edition of this race took place over five days from July 26 to July 30, featuring routes with notable climbs similar to those in Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
One of the most exciting stages of the 2025 Tour de Wallonie was Stage 4, which ran from Welkenraedt to Seraing (163.3 km). This stage included famous Ardennes climbs such as the Col du Rosier, Côte de la Redoute, and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons—all iconic ascents also featured in the Liège-Bastogne-Liège race.
The stage was marked by aggressive racing on twisting, hilly roads in the Ardennes, ending with a small group sprint won by Mathias Vacek of Lidl-Trek.
The race began with an early breakaway formed by Vlad Van Mechelen (Bahrain Victorious) and Tom Donnenwirth (Groupama-FDJ). However, as the hills began to take their toll, Van Mechelen was eventually pulled back.
A smaller group formed towards the end of the race, with Vacek, Corbin Strong, Carlos Canal, and Natnael Tesfatsion battling it out for the win. Vacek took the lead in the bonus sprint battle, increasing the pressure on Strong in the general classification.
In the final sprint, Vacek dominated, taking a ten-second time bonus. This win moved him to just one second behind Strong in the general classification ahead of the final stage.
Corbin Strong took the leader's yellow jersey by a single second ahead of Vacek. Tomorrow's stage will be the final one of the Tour de Wallonie.
Vacek expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating that he and the team will race hard, enjoy the race, and if they can secure a GC win, it would be perfect. If not, he is still happy with his performance and the team's efforts.
Vacek finished seven seconds clear of the chasers, securing a well-deserved victory on Stage 4 of the Tour de Wallonie. The race continues tomorrow, with the final stage promising to be another hard-fought battle among the riders.
[1] Tour de Wallonie Official Website
[4] Cyclingnews
[5] Velonews
Despite its mini-Liège-Bastogne-Liège characteristics, the 2025 Tour de Wallonie stood on its own merit, showcasing its unique charm in the world of sports. The thrilling Stage 4, fought fiercely on the Ardennes terrain, offered a testament to this, as Mathias Vacek clinched an impressive victory, putting him in second place in the general classification.
