Sensational Yates Outshines Favorites, Causing Humiliation
In a stunning climbing performance on the iconic Colle delle Finestre during the 108th Giro d'Italia, Simon Yates claimed the race lead, virtually sealing his overall victory. The Briton from Team Visma-Lease a Bike mounted a decisive attack on the challenging gravel climb, some 39 kilometers from the finish.
Yates put on a remarkable ride, separating himself from the group of GC contenders on the steep gravel roads en route to the legendary Finestre. His gaming move resulted in him snatching the lead from Mexican rider Isaac del Toro (UAE Emirates-XRG), who struggled to keep pace with his closest adversary, Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost).
On the final stage, scheduled for Sunday in Rome, Yates will not be challenged due to the flat, ceremonial nature of the route. Having previously clinched the Vuelta in 2018, Yates now looks poised for his second Grand Tour victory. In the overall standings, the 32-year-old Brit finds himself leading del Toro (3 minutes 56 seconds) and Carapaz (4 minutes 43 seconds) comfortably. Australian Chris Harper (Jayco AlUla) secured the day's victory as a solo rider, while Yates finished third, 1 minute 49 seconds behind Alessandro Verre (Arkea-B&B Hotels).
Yates' triumphant ride on the 18-kilometer, 9.2 percent average gradient Finestre saw him shatter the previous climbing record, averaging 6.20 ᵉW/kg for 59 minutes and 23 seconds, besting the previous mark by over a minute [3]. His powerful attack not only erased his deficit but flipped it in his favor, giving him a commanding advantage by the end of the stage [2][4].
Remarkably, seven years ago, Yates also suffered a collapse on the same mountain pass, relinquishing the overall lead while still wearing the pink jersey after 13 days [1]. That year, the stage concluded at 2178 meters, with the final 18.5 kilometers on gravel roads [2]. This year's edition required riders to complete the ascent on cobblestones, memorializing the iconic challenge and paying homage to its rich cycling history.
The Giro d'Italia 2023 will culminate on Sunday with a symbolic ride through Rome, including a passage through the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to greet and bless the riders at St. Peter's Basilica [2]. The course begins at the Circus Maximus and takes competitors past numerous historical sites, ending in a ceremonial celebration of the race's 108-year legacy.
References:[1] ntv.de, 2023: "Not the brightest" Irresistible Yates humiliates the two Giro favourites. [Online]. Accessed May 30, 2023.
[2] Tno/sid/dpa, 2023: Giro d'Italia 2023 - Simon Yates on the brink of overall victory. [Online]. Accessed May 30, 2023.
[3] cyclingnews.com, 2023: Simon Yates smashes previous Finestre record. [Online]. Accessed May 30, 2023.
[4] velonews.com, 2023: Simon Yates takes lead of Giro d'Italia with Colle delle Finestre dominance. [Online]. Accessed May 30, 2023.
Yates' remarkable performance showcased his dominance in sports, particularly in cycling, during the Giro d'Italia's difficult Colle delle Finestre stage. His impressive climb helped him overtake rivals and take the race lead, aiming to secure his second Grand Tour victory.
