In the fourth stage of the Italian stage race the riders were once again sent into the mountains. Nooijen saw her chance to attack and was part of the leading group together with three other riders. The quartet gained a maximum lead of four minutes and Nooijen collected several mountain points along the way.

At the foot of the final climb, the breakaway riders were caught, after which the classification women got involved in the stage. Accompanied by Rosita Reijnhout, Viktória Chladoňová tried to limit the damage in the chasing group. The Slovak champion eventually crossed the line more than three minutes behind winner Sarah Gigante.

"It was a difficult day", Chladoňová said. "Before the last climb started, there was a crash that I was just behind. I tried to move up after that, but unfortunately I didn't have my best legs. Rosita stayed with me and that was very nice. On the last part I gave everything I had. This was all I could do today."

Sports director Jan Boven looked back on today's day. "The ladies gave everything they had. On a climb like that everyone ends up where they should be. We had hoped for something more, but unfortunately there was no more in it today. Tomorrow we will sprint and then we hope to compete with Marianne for the win."