Simon Yates Crowned as 'Giro d'Italia Emperor' in Rome, Sealing Victory for Visma Team with Kooij's Sprint Triumph
Unscripted Edition:
Cycling fans are still buzzing about the 2025 Giro d'Italia, a grand tour that unfolded like a rollercoaster of emotions and unexpected turns. While Rome was the eventual destination, it took Simon Yates seven years and two climbs up Colle delle Finestre to reach his ultimate destination - the top spot of the podium.
After his crushing defeat on this very climb in 2018, when he lost a Giro he should've clinched, Yates had this stubborn determination brewing deep within. And in stage 20, it all came to a head. With 38 kilometers left, he launched an audacious attack, one that left everyone but teammate Wout van Aert in his dust.
Even as Del Toro and Carapaz underestimated the danger, Yates nimbly navigated the rugged terrain, building an insurmountable lead before reaching the finish line in Sestriere. He gained five minutes on Del Toro in the stage and triumphed in the general classification by 3 minutes and 56 seconds. It took a Herculean effort for the world to believe the struggles Yates faced before conquering Finestre. His miraculous revival on this peak was followed by a meeting with Pope Leo XIV before the Rome stage, adding even more divinity to his already extraordinary feat.
The seasoned Englishman finally closed the circle as he was presented with the exquisite Senza Fine trophy - a coveted prize for the Giro winner. Rome also crowned Olav Kooij as the victor of the final stage, Mads Pedersen as the 'maglia ciclamino' for regularity, Lorenzo Fortunato with the 'maglia azzura' for the mountains, and the young Israeli rider Isaac del Toro with the 'maillot blanc' for the best young rider.
Despite his errors in stage 20 that cost him the Giro, the 21-year-old del Toro showed the world that he is here to stay. The final stage, much like all grand tour finales (with the exception of the daring Montmartre climb in this year's Tour de France), was a dreary ride through the Eternal City. But the last kilometer had its own history, with various teams bringing their sprinters who had fought their way to the final showdown. Ultimately, it was Dutchman Olav Kooij who emerged victorious, securing an incredible Giro d'Italia for his team.
From Battle of Roglic and Ayuso to unparalleled poetry
Grand Tours often rely on a touch of luck, and neither Roglic nor Ayuso had it. The Slovenian struggled with falls and punctures, which cost him valuable time in the "mini Strade Bianche" stage that the Giro unveiled, ultimately proving to be a turning point in the race.
Del Toro, the young Mexican, was the one who capitalized on their misfortune. In stage 14, he broke away from the favorites, partnered with Van Aert, and finished second in a thrilling stage that flipped the script entirely. At that time, Ayuso, who had already secured a victory in stage 7, held a commanding 1 minute and 12 seconds lead over Roglic.
Van Aert claimed victory in a stage on the 'sterrato' that left Del Toro leading and Roglic in the dust.
But in stage 14 everything changed. A massive crash in a flat stage caused a knee injury to Ayuso, forcing him to undergo three stitches to heal that wound. This marked the beginning of the end for him. The third week packed all the mountains that were missing in the previous two, and neither Ayuso nor Roglic were at their best. Del Toro maintained his 1 minute and 30 seconds advantage over Yates and Carapaz, two cyclists who always step up when given the chance to win.
Roglic made it clear that he was not a contender to win and ultimately retired in the following stage due to yet another crash. Ayuso lost all his chances on the same day as Roglic's departure on the Santa Barbara climb. The Spaniard also had to retire in the 18th stage, after being stung by a wasp in the eye.
A finale week of mountains that had it all
One of the queen stages, with a finish in San Valentino, reshuffled the dynamics of the race. UAE no longer had two different leaders in their roster due to Ayuso's collapse, and Del Toro proved vulnerable to voluntary attacks like Carapaz's. The Ecuadorian cut 1 minute and 35 seconds off the 2 minutes and 7 seconds he had lost to Del Toro, leaving the final week in a tight race. The Mexican remained leader, but a cool, calculated Yates was only 26 seconds behind and Carapaz was 31 seconds off the pace.
Del Toro returned the favor from San Valentino, only to meet his match in Finestre
Champions often face their darkest moments, but it is their resilience that sets them apart. Del Toro seemed to demonstrate this in stage 17, where he won his first stage in a grand tour and recovered many of the seconds he lost in the previous stage. He left Carapaz 43 seconds behind and Yates 51 seconds behind, who appeared to struggle in short, explosive climbs. The Englishman faced this problem again in stage 19, losing 30 seconds to Del Toro and Carapaz, who seemed to put any victory chances to bed. But Visma Lease-a-bike had a plan.
Del Toro may have returned the favor from San Valentino, but he found himself in a slaughterhouse in Finestre. Carapaz attacked first, but Yates played the race like a pro. He let the two leaders separate, simply bided his time, and then unleashed a devastating counterattack that left everyone but him in pink by the time they reached Sestrière. Stage 20 of the Giro d'Italia will be etched in cycling history, an enthralling spectacle that even the most cynical critic would call poetic. Revenge, like redemption, was served ice-cold in Rome, because it took seven long years to arrive.
The average performance of cyclists in sports events, such as the Giro d'Italia, can be affected by numerous factors, including sudden setbacks and unexpected turns. After his crushing defeat in 2018, Simon Yates demonstrated an average of determination, pushing himself to the top spot of the podium in 2025.
Despite his errors in the race, the young Mexican rider, Isaac del Toro, showed an average athletic resilience, proving that he is a significant force to be reckoned with in sports competitions like the Grand Tours.
