Intriguing Yates Outshines Favorites in an Unforgettable Performance
In a breathtaking display of climbing, Simon Yates of Team Visma-Lease a Bike claimed the lead of the 108th Giro d'Italia, virtually securing an overall victory on the legendary Colle delle Finestre. The Briton mounted a decisive attack around 39 kilometers from the finish line on the famous gravel climb, leaving a group of general classification (GC) riders struggling in his wake.
This spectacular ride saw Yates cross the finish line as the laughing third-place finisher, firmly establishing himself as the race leader. On the gravel roads leading up to the legendary Colle delle Finestre, he outpaced Mexican talent Isaac del Toro of UAE Emirates-XRG, who could not keep pace with the relentless Briton. Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz of EF Education-EasyPost, previously second-placed, also fell behind.
With the final stage set to take place in Rome on Sunday, the race leader will not be under attack. Yates, who claimed victory in the Vuelta in 2018, now stands on the brink of his second Grand Tour victory. In the overall standings, the 32-year-old has pulled ahead of Del Toro (+3:56) and Carapaz (+4:43), who were both over a minute and a half behind before the stage. The day's victory went to Australian Chris Harper of Jayco AlUla as a lone rider, while Yates finished third, 1 minute and 49 seconds behind Alessandro Verre of Arkea-B&B Hotels.
The root of Yates' success in the Colle delle Finestre can be traced back to a series of unsuccessful attacks, culminating in a decisive gap on the fourth attempt. Earlier in the climb, Ecuadorian Richad Carapaz launched the first attack on the 18.2-kilometer, 9.2% average gradient Finestre. However, contrary to expectations, this occurred well before the notorious final eight gravel kilometers. Yates eventually caught up to Carapaz and the duo, with Del Toro following closely behind.
The two top riders struggled to respond to Yates' coup, suggesting a degree of caution among Carapaz and Del Toro, who may have been competing too closely rather than pushing each other to their full potential. This strategy ultimately cost them dearly, as Yates pulled away, leaving them struggling to keep up. By the time they reached the finish line, they trailed the leader by around seven minutes.
The poignant victory marked a full circle moment for Yates. Seven years ago, he lost the overall lead at the Colle delle Finestre after a heavy collapse while still in the pink jersey after 13 days. That time, Chris Froome was the beneficiary of the challenging climb, which this year covered a total of 18.5 kilometers, with the last eight on gravel roads.
The Giro d'Italia concludes on Sunday with a symbolic ride through Rome, including a passage through the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV will receive and bless the riders at St. Peter's Basilica. The late Pope Francis had made this extraordinary route possible. The ride begins at the Circus Maximus and passes numerous historical sites along cobblestone roads.
Sports, such as cycling, continue to showcase extraordinary performances, with Simon Yates' dominance in the Giro d'Italia serving as a prime example. Yates' victory on the legendary Colle delle Finestre has cemented his position as the race leader, further solidifying his reputation in the world of sports.
