Ten years later, the #TotA returns to Australia: Michael Storer rules in Lienz

The strongest rider won – as it always happens on the roads of Trentino, Südtirol/Alto Adige, and Tirol. The toughest and most courageous, and the one who best interpreted another spectacular and compelling edition of the Tour of the Alps. On Friday, April 25th, 2025, Lienz’s Hauptplatz crowned 28-year-old Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling), an Australian with Italy in his heart.

A decade on from Cadel Evans in 2014 and Richie Porte in 2015, Australia has found a new leading figure for stage races. Storer proved imperious on every kind of climb, from long drags to leg-breaking ramps like Bannberg and Stronach. Once again, the iconic ascents of Osttirol were decisive. Storer dropped Thursday’s star Thymen Arensman (INEOS Grenadiers) on the steep gradients and claimed what had narrowly eluded him in Lienz back in 2022 – the Melinda Green Jersey.

France shone again in the grand finale of the Tour of the Alps, with another powerful showing from Decathlon–AG2R. Nicolas Prodhomme and Paul Seixas broke away in tandem and arrived together in Hauptplatz, echoing last year’s success by Aurélien Paret-Peintre in Levico Terme. In a chivalrous gesture that spoke volumes of his class and promise, the rising star Seixas gifted the stage win – his teammate’s first as a pro – to the more experienced Prodhomme. Behind them, Germany’s Emil Herzog (Red Bull–BORA–Hansgrohe) rounded out the podium.

In the general classification, Storer finished 1’33” ahead of Arensman, with Derek Gee (Israel–Premier Tech) taking third at 4’07”. Giulio Ciccone (Lidl–Trek) was the top Italian, finishing fourth after winning the opening stage and wearing the first green jersey in San Lorenzo Dorsino. Local favorite Felix Gall (Decathlon–AG2R) placed fifth at 5’13”, followed by veteran Damiano Caruso (Bahrain–Victorious) at 5’33”. Max Poole (Picnic–PostNL) won the FORST White Jersey for best young rider, finishing seventh at 6’06” and repeating his 2023 achievement.

The final top ten was completed by Jay Hindley (Red Bull–BORA), Matthew Riccitello (Israel–Premier Tech), and Romain Bardet (Picnic–PostNL), in his farewell Tour of the Alps ahead of his retirement after the Critérium du Dauphiné.

STORER: "THE TOUR OF THE ALPS IS A UNIQUE RACE"

"I knew I was coming into the Tour of the Alps in great shape, but I still managed to improve over the week," said Michael Storer. "Compared to previous editions, the level was even higher – we were racing incredibly fast, which explains the bigger time gaps. On the second ascent of the Bannberg, my teammates launched me, and then Lucas Eriksson supported me perfectly through the final section."

"Next up is the Giro d’Italia. Some people are already talking about a top-five finish, which is nice to hear. A win like this definitely boosts my confidence. But nothing will change in our preparation – my coach and I have a very precise plan, and I believe I can show up in top form ready to fight."

"I love the Tour of the Alps. No other race has such a strong regional identity. It's no surprise that so many riders are always happy to see it on their calendar. Personally, I’m thrilled to have won it – and I already can’t wait to be back."

PRODHOMME: "WHAT A FEELING TO GET MY FIRST PRO WIN"

“It’s been a really special and emotional week for us,” said 28-year-old Nicolas Prodhomme. “We came in aiming for a stage win and to support Felix Gall and Paul Seixas in the GC. Michael Storer was clearly the strongest over the five days, so today we went all in with Paul for the stage."

“I honestly didn’t expect to get my first pro win this week. To take it alongside Paul made it even more memorable. I’ll be happy to support him towards his victories in the future – he’s an incredible talent."

“A first win like this can be a real mental breakthrough. I’m going into the Giro d’Italia with an extra gear now.”

HOW IT UNFOLDED

Just like the previous days, the final stage of the Tour of the Alps started at full throttle, with relentless attacks from the gun. At kilometer 20, a break of 14 riders got away: Kämna (Lidl–Trek), Mihojlevic (Bahrain–Victorious), Van Huffel (Picnic–PostNL), Herzog and Zwienhoff (Red Bull–BORA), Bouwman (Jayco–AlUla), Prodhomme and Seixas (Decathlon–AG2R), Eriksson (Tudor Pro Cycling), Rojas and Tarozzi (VF Group–Bardiani), Mattia Bais (Polti–VisitMalta), and Geismayr (Team Vorarlberg).

The peloton let the move go, with the gap peaking at 4’19” over the short 112.2 km stage. The leaders kept their margin over the first key climbs – the initial ascent of Bannberg and then Oberassling – and approached the second Bannberg pass with a 4’10” advantage.
Behind, Tudor Pro Cycling set a fierce tempo, with Stork leading the charge and Storer glued to his wheel. Only Arensman could follow, but he began to falter on the steepest ramps. Storer made his decisive move and crested the Bannberg 30 seconds ahead of Arensman, soon joined by teammate Eriksson. The duo extended the lead on the rolling terrain before the final climb of Stronach.

Up front, Prodhomme and Seixas showcased their climbing prowess, while Storer powered up the brutal gradients of Stronach to finish 1’44” ahead of Arensman. In Lienz’s Hauptplatz, Prodhomme edged Seixas, with Herzog in third. Bouwman finished fourth and Bais – the top Italian – fifth.

Behind them, the GC contenders – Poole, Ciccone, Hindley, Caruso, Riccitello, Gee, and Gall – came in together, 4’03” behind Prodhomme and 2’02” behind Storer.

Seixas still had reason to celebrate, taking the Würth Red Jersey as Points Classification winner. The Blue Jersey for the Gruppo Cassa Centrale KOM Classification went to Finlay Pickering (Bahrain–Victorious), while Koen Bouwman earned the Bazr Black Jersey for most combative rider.

The 48th Tour of the Alps closes with a crowning moment for Michael Storer – but also with a wealth of memorable stories: Ciccone’s brilliance in San Lorenzo Dorsino, Prodhomme’s breakthrough, Seixas’s rise, Arensman’s grit, and an all-star cast lighting up every kilometer across the Tirol–Südtirol/Alto Adige–Trentino Euregio. A race of surprises, heroics, and breathtaking scenery. Cycling, at its very best.