Red Bull is saved from a catastrophic Giro d'Italia ordeal, thanks to Nico Denz's timely efforts.
Nico Denz clinched a solo victory on Stage 18 of the 2025 Giro d'Italia, marking his third career triumph in the renowned race and a significant milestone for his Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe team as they claimed their 300th win. The 31-year-old German rider displayed resilience, responding to the team's recent setbacks, following the withdrawal of co-favorites Primoz Roglic and Jai Hindley.
After a hilly start, the route from Morbegno to Cesano Maderno flattened out for a mostly flat finish. Denz attacked from a reduced lead group with approximately 17-18 kilometers remaining and broke away solo, decisively outpacing his rivals and finishing the race alone.
John Degenkolb, former Roubaix champion, described Denz's win as "not just a victory of the legs, but of the mind." The overall favorites had an easier day ahead of the challenging mountain stages, finishing with a nearly 14-minute deficit. Mexico's Isaac del Toro currently leads the race with a 41-second advantage over Richard Carapaz from Ecuador, while Britain's Simon Yates trails by 51 seconds.
The upcoming 19th stage, a 166-kilometer race from Biella to Champololuc, features three category-one climbs and about 5,000 meters of elevation gain. All eyes will be on the 21-year-old del Toro, who demonstrated impressive comeback potential with his first stage win on Wednesday after losing 1.5 minutes on Tuesday.
With this victory, Denz provided a morale boost for his team after challenging days, including the emotional departure of Roglič. The team and fans celebrated the milestone, reflecting on their journey and setting their sights on future aspirations.
Other riders, including those from the sports of cycling, acknowledged Denz's mental fortitude in securing his win, a testament to the diversity and resilience that sports often demand. Specifically, teammates and colleagues within the cycling sports community may have found inspiration in Denz's victory, considering it a stepping stone towards their own future triumphs in sports.
