Unstoppable Yates Outshines Favored Rivals in Humiliating Manner
British Cyclist Simon Yates Claims Giro d'Italia Victory in Spectacular Climbing Display
In a breathtaking performance on the legendary Colle delle Finestre, Simon Yates of Team Visma-Lease a Bike clinched the lead of the 108th Giro d'Italia, virtually securing the overall victory. The 32-year-old Briton decisively attacked approximately 39 kilometers from the finish during the penultimate stage.
Yates left a group of General Classification (GC) riders behind on the gravel roads leading up to the renowned Colle delle Finestre, seizing the lead in the overall standings from Mexican talent Isaac del Toro of UAE Emirates-XRG, who could not keep pace. Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz of EF Education-EasyPost, previously in second place, also struggled to match Yates' pace.
On the final stage in Rome on Sunday, Yates, who won the Vuelta in 2018, is expected to maintain his lead without attack. He currently leads del Toro by 3 minutes and 56 seconds and Carapaz by 4 minutes and 43 seconds. The day's victory went to Australian Chris Harper of Jayco AlUla as a solo rider, with Yates finishing third behind Alessandro Verre of Arkea-B&B Hotels (+1:49) and (+1:57) behind Harper.
Carapaz launched the first attack on the 18.2-kilometer-long and 9.2-percent-steep Finestre earlier in the climb rather than near the final eight gravel kilometers as expected. Del Toro followed Carapaz, and Yates soon joined the duo. A series of unsuccessful attacks followed before Yates created the decisive gap on the fourth attempt.
Simon Yates' triumph came seven years after he lost the overall lead at the Colle delle Finestre in a heavy crash while wearing the pink jersey for 13 days. Chris Froome was the beneficiary of that spectacular climb, which this year included 18.5 kilometers of the final eight on gravel roads.
The 108th Giro d'Italia concludes on Sunday with a symbolic ride through Rome, which includes 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 by numerous historical sites on cobblestones.
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid/dpa
** background of Simon Yates' Victory:Yates clinched his first Giro d'Italia title after six attempts at winning the prestigious race. He wore the pink jersey for the first time during Stage 20 and secured the leader's jersey after a remarkable mountain attack on the penultimate stage. Yates finished the race with a lead of 3 minutes and 56 seconds over Mexico's Isaac del Toro, who won the white jersey for the best young rider.**
Sports, in particular cycling, have been a significant part of Simon Yates' career, as he recently clinched the overall victory in the 108th Giro d'Italia after six attempts to win the prestigious race. As a skilled cyclist, Yates' success in sports continues to shine.
