Simon Yates Stuns the Giro with Decisive Attack on Colle delle Finestre
Coming into today’s stage, Yates was trailing the race leader Isaac del Toro by a full 1 minute and 31 seconds. Many had written off the British rider, especially given the brutal terrain that awaited. But Yates had other plans. With only one flat stage left after today, this was his final shot—and he took it with fearless precision.
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The turning point? Around 13 kilometers from the summit of the Finestre. That’s when Yates launched his assault—calculated, forceful, and relentless. He didn’t just attack—he demolished expectations. And let’s not forget the role of Wout van Aert. Having been part of the early breakaway, Van Aert timed his support perfectly. Once Yates bridged up, Van Aert gave everything to drag his teammate further ahead, helping him crack open a gap that peaked at nearly two minutes.
Meanwhile, behind them, chaos was unfolding. Del Toro, flanked by Carapaz, looked increasingly unsettled. There was hesitation, miscommunication, and perhaps some tactical blunders from the UAE Team Emirates car. Carapaz kept urging Del Toro to work together to close the gap, but the collaboration never materialized. It felt like a slow unraveling—each moment they delayed, Yates was carving his name into Giro history.
Chris Harper eventually took the stage win after a brave breakaway ride, but the bigger story was Yates. He crossed the line behind Harper and Verre, but crucially ahead of all his general classification rivals. With this effort, he seized the maglia rosa and now stands poised to win his second career Grand Tour, having already triumphed at the Vuelta a España in 2018.
What makes this even more poetic is the history—seven years ago, Yates lost the Giro on this very climb to Chris Froome. Today, he came back with a vengeance, rewriting that painful chapter with one of the most clinical and courageous attacks we’ve seen in years.
Unless disaster strikes in tomorrow’s final stage to Rome, Simon Yates will wear the pink jersey atop the podium. It's a comeback, a statement, and a masterclass—all in one breathtaking ride.
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