British cyclist Simon Yates delivered an extraordinary performance during the penultimate stage of the Giro d’Italia, seizing the iconic pink jersey from Mexico’s Isaac del Toro and securing his second Grand Tour championship in 2025.
As they approached the final competitive stage, del Toro held a 43-second lead over Richard Carapaz, with Yates positioned third, trailing by a minute and 21 seconds. The 21-year-old del Toro aimed to clinch victory in his first Giro by successfully navigating the Colle delle Finestre, which is the highest elevation point of this year’s race—a site where Yates faced heartbreak in 2018.
However, at 32 years old, Yates faced past challenges head-on. He launched an aggressive attack during the steep climb, leaving both del Toro and Carapaz behind. By the time he reached the summit, Yates had not only erased del Toro’s lead but was also 1 minute and 41 seconds ahead of his closest competitors.
The strategy from Yates’ Visma-Lease A Bike team proved effective. Team-mate Wout van Aert, who was part of the breakaway group, strategically assisted Yates on the descent, enabling him to build a significant advantage over the final 30 kilometers.
Chris Harper, an Australian rider with Jayco, was the first to cross the Colle delle Finestre summit, securing his second Grand Tour stage victory, with Yates finishing the stage in third, just 1 minute and 57 seconds later.