Mexican cyclist Isaac del Toro (from UAE Team Emirates) won the 17th stage of the Giro d’Italia on Wednesday, which took place between San Michele all’Adige and Bormio over 155 kilometers in the Alps. He claimed victory to assert his position against Richard Carapaz (EF Education), strengthen his maglia rosa and send a message that he remains strong and determined to defend his leadership all the way to Rome.
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Del Toro won with a 4-second advantage over the Frenchman Romain Bardet (Picnic PostNL) and Carapaz, while Simon Yates (Team Visma) finished fourth, 15 seconds behind.
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How was Del Toro’s victory in the stage?
In the previous stage with the finish line in San Valentino, which marked the beginning of a very challenging final week in the high mountains, Carapaz reduced the gap by 1:36 to a struggling Del Toro and moved up to third place, 31 seconds behind the leader, while Yates remained in second place, 26 seconds behind.
The Tuesday stage also saw the abandonment of Primoz Roglic (Team Bora) and the “blowout” of Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates), who lost 14 minutes and is now out of contention for winning the “Corsa Rosa”.
But this Wednesday, “El Torito” charged with strength and continued expanding his consecutive days dressed in pink, becoming the youngest stage winner of the century so far (21 years and six months). This Wednesday he was seen suffering on the Mortirolo, yes, but he knew how to endure and, in a smoother stage finish with ups and downs suitable to demonstrate his power, he attacked to leave Carapaz behind, who seems to be the only one capable of surprising him.
With today’s results, Carapaz moved up to second place in the general classification, now 41″ behind the Mexican Del Toro, and Simon Yates is in third place, 51″ behind.
Among the three of them should be the next champion of the Giro, and the stage is set for two great battles on Friday with a pass through the Col de Joux and on Saturday with an ascent on a dirt track to the Colle delle Finestre.
Isaac Del Toro becomes the youngest cyclist to wear the “maglia rosa” for nine consecutive days.