Del Toro wins in Bormio to stretch pink jersey lead as Carapaz climbs to second, Yates slips to third
Isaac del Toro produced a sensational solo attack to win stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia and tighten his grip on the maglia rosa, as Britain’s Simon Yates slipped to third overall in the general classification.
The 21-year-old Mexican, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, surged clear in the final two kilometres to outpace Richard Carapaz and Romain Bardet and become the first Mexican stage winner at the Giro in 23 years. His winning time of 3 hours 58 minutes and 48 seconds capped a day of tactical excellence and raw climbing power.
Del Toro crossed the finish in Bormio four seconds ahead of Bardet, who had been the last survivor from an earlier breakaway. Carapaz, the 2019 Giro champion, followed in third. Yates, who had started the day just 26 seconds behind Del Toro, faded to fourth and now trails the pink jersey by 51 seconds overall.
The stage, a brutal 155km journey from San Michele all’Adige over the legendary Mortirolo climb and into the high mountains, saw Carapaz launch a major attack near the summit. His move briefly distanced both Del Toro and Yates, opening a gap of about 30 seconds on the descent.
But Del Toro, calm and composed, reeled him in on the lower slopes of Le Motte, the final ascent of the day. As the favourites regrouped near the top, Del Toro launched a blistering counterattack. Only Carapaz could follow.
They soon caught Bardet, who had hoped to seal a stage win and complete his set of Grand Tour victories in what is his final professional season. But Del Toro had other plans.
With just under two kilometres remaining, Del Toro made his decisive move. He edged past Carapaz and held his nerve and power to the line, punching the air as he sealed the biggest win of his young career.
“Everyone wants this [pink jersey] and today I realised I will never give up,” said Del Toro afterwards. “This is probably my third or fourth podium in the Giro – it’s incredible. I have nothing to lose. Today wasn’t easier than yesterday, but I had a better mentality. Full gas.”
Carapaz had cut Del Toro’s lead to just 31 seconds after stage 16, but the Ecuadorian now finds himself 41 seconds adrift in second place. Yates, meanwhile, must regroup after a tough day in the saddle saw him lose ground on both rivals.
Thursday’s stage 18, a 144km run from Morbegno to Cesano Maderno, offers brief respite. Though it features three climbs in its opening half, the latter sections flatten out, likely favouring the sprinters. But with the mountains looming again in the final days, Del Toro’s rivals will need to respond soon.
The general classification remains tight behind the leader. Canadian Derek Gee sits in fourth, 1 minute 57 seconds back, while Italy’s Damiano Caruso is a further 69 seconds adrift in fifth. Former Tour de France winner Egan Bernal remains in contention, though nearly five minutes off the pace.
But for now, the headlines belong to Del Toro – poised to become the youngest Giro winner since 1940 and the first Mexican ever to do so. The Giro d’Italia may not be over, but its youthful leader looks harder to dislodge with every mountainous stage
