Stage 4 of the Czech Tour covers 160.2 km from Kroměříž to the summit finish at Pustevny, a classic mountain-top arrival in the Beskydy highlands. The profile heavily favors pure climbers, with the final ascent to Pustevny serving as the decisive battleground. This 2.Pro stage race stage will reward riders with high climbing stats and the ability to sustain power over a prolonged final climb.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Mikel Landa stands alone at the top with a climbing stat of 79, the best in the entire startlist by a clear margin. His Legendary rarity and Grand Tour climbing pedigree make him the near-certain favorite for the Pustevny mountain finish. Soudal Quick-Step brings additional support, and with the Vuelta also on his calendar, he is clearly in peak preparation.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mikel Landa tops the startlist with the highest climbing stat of 79, making him the standout favorite for this mountain finish to Pustevny. As a Legendary-rarity rider and a proven Grand Tour climber, he has the pedigree and stats to dominate on such a profile.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Jordan Jegat and Jan Hirt are the two riders most capable of challenging Landa, combining climbing stats of 76 and 75 respectively with genuine mountain race experience. Jegat's 11-race sample in similar profiles and Hirt's Vuelta-level conditioning make both legitimate podium threats. Either could benefit if Landa has an off day or the race fragments early on the final climb.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Jan Hirt brings a climbing stat of 75 and solid recent form across 7 similar-profile races, averaging 15.7 with a best of 9th. His experience and upcoming Vuelta preparation suggest he is in fine shape for this mountain finish.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Jordan Jegat holds a climbing stat of 76 and has the most race experience in similar mountain profiles (11 races), posting a best finish of 7th and an average of 15.5. His consistency over many mountain races makes him a reliable second contender.
★★
Dark Horses
Jan Castellon leads this tier on form, with a podium and four top-10s in nine mountain races providing the best conversion record among the contenders. Jack Haig and Joe Blackmore round out the dark horses — Haig brings the weight of a full INEOS team behind him, while Blackmore's hills stat of 77 suggests particular suitability to Pustevny's punchy gradient. Any of the three could push into the top five on the right day.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Jack Haig has a climbing stat of 75 and strong INEOS Grenadiers team support, with multiple teammates also in the race to control the stage. Though his recent average of 42.2 across 6 races is modest, his raw stats and team resources warrant respect.
Caja Rural
Caja Rural
Jan Castellon boasts a climbing stat of 75 and stands out in recent form with a podium and four top-10 finishes across 9 mountain races, the best conversion rate among the dark horses. His Caja Rural team will likely animate the race for him.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Joe Blackmore is an Epic-rarity rider with a climbing stat of 74 and an exceptional hills rating of 77, suggesting he thrives on punchy mountain terrain like the Pustevny finish. His team NSN Cycling will be looking to him as a key mountain asset.
★
Ones to Watch
Alessandro Fancellu enters with the best recent result (6th in a mountain stage) and could outperform his climbing stat of 73 if form holds. Luca Covili's seven-race mountain record with a best of 5th makes him a reliable outside bet. Mauri Vansevenant and Marco Frigo complete the quartet as riders with the physical tools to feature in the finale, though team roles and race dynamics may limit their individual ambitions.
MBH Bank CSB
MBH Bank CSB
Alessandro Fancellu recorded the best recent result of any rider with a 6th-place finish in a comparable mountain race, showing real promise despite limited sample size. His climbing stat of 73 may cap his ceiling, but current form gives him a realistic shot at the top 10.
Bardiani CSF
Bardiani CSF
Luca Covili has a climbing stat of 73 and the second-best mountain form record among riders with multiple starts, averaging 18.4 across 7 races with a best of 5th. He is a consistent performer who could sneak into the top results on a good day.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Marco Frigo holds a climbing stat of 74 and a notably high time trial score of 73, hinting at strong sustained power on long climbs like Pustevny. As part of NSN Cycling alongside Hirt, he could benefit from a team strategy targeting the stage win.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mauri Vansevenant carries a climbing stat of 73 combined with a hills rating of 76, and rides for Soudal Quick-Step alongside Landa, making him a potential secondary option if team tactics shift. His all-round profile suits a punchy mountain finish.
Verdict
Mikel Landa is the overwhelming favorite thanks to his Legendary status and a climbing stat of 79, the highest in the field. Jordan Jegat and Jan Hirt are the most credible challengers, combining solid climbing ratings with proven recent form in mountain-profile races.