Stage and overall win: Mauro Schmid strikes on final day of Settimana Coppi e Bartali

The 41st edition of the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali was won by Mauro Schmid. The Swiss champion took the final stage with the finish in Gemona del Friuli—ahead of Axel Laurance—and that proved enough to snatch the leader's jersey from the Frenchman.

After four exciting race days—with surprising developments, plot twists, and notable stage winners—Sunday was already time for the last stage of the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali. All the ingredients seemed in place for a thrilling finale. Not only because of the small time gaps in the general classification, but also due to the planned route, with the Monte Stella (4.6 km at 8.7%) serving as the decisive challenge in the final stretch.

Breakaway including Svrček
Five riders decided not to wait for the first passage over Monte Stella and took off early. Martin Svrček—the 2024 U23 vice world champion—was the most recognizable name. The Slovak from Soudal Quick-Step found support on the road from Andrea Pietrobon (Team Polti VisitMalta), Koki Kamada (Team Nippo Nuovacomauto Obor), Emanuele Ansaloni (Team Technipes), and Jacopo Pignatti (S.C. Padovani Polo Cherry Bank).

However, these five attackers proved to be prey for the proverbial cat, although they managed to hold out until the foot of the final ascent of Monte Stella. On the slopes of this tough climb, the leaders were caught one by one. By that time, the peloton had already been significantly thinned out by the efforts of Jayco AlUla and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe.

Schmid puts pressure on Laurance
The group was thus reduced to about 25 riders, but leader Laurance was not willing to give in. At least, it seemed so, but the Frenchman ultimately had to let go of a two-man attack by Alan Hatherly and Mauro Schmid. The Swiss rider, second in the GC, looked to be reaching for the overall win, but it was Laurance himself who responded on the descent and successfully bridged back across.

And so, three leaders started the final kilometers: Laurance, Hatherly, and Schmid. The chasers—with Dutchman Jardi Christiaan van der Lee the most notable name—were not far behind. However, these riders failed to close the gap in time, and it came down to a two-man sprint between Schmid and Laurance for the stage victory. This time, the Swiss rider came out on top, earning him the overall win in dramatic fashion.

Thanks to the accompanying bonus seconds, Schmid managed to narrowly overtake his French rival in the final general classification. The 26-year-old rider continues his excellent form from recent months: earlier this season, Schmid won the Muscat Classic and a stage in the Tour of Oman.