Against all expectations, maglia rosa Isaac Del Toro attacked in the final kilometers out of the trio with Richard Carapaz and Romain Bardet to win Stage 17 of the 2025 Giro d’Italia.
Del Toro had suffered time losses in the previous stage and showed all of his character to turn the tables on his opponents in the final kilometres of Wednesday’s stage. The Mexican delivered a searing attack on the final climb of the day, before distancing both Romain Bardet (Picnic PostNL) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) on the run to home. Coming across the line alone in Bormio, Del Toro sealed the first Grand Tour stage victory of his fledgling career.
In doing so, the race leader claimed a 40th victory of the season for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, and became the first Mexican to win a stage of the Giro in 23 years. In fact, Del Toro is only the second Mexican to do so in history. It was a performance to be proud of for the Emirati squad, who had surrounded the Maglia Rosa with numbers and ensured that the stage was up for grabs in the finale.
The Mighty Motirolo
Wednesday’s stage was another mountain challenge for the gruppo today, including the Passo del Tornale and the iconic Motirolo.
As we picked up race coverage, the gruppo was heading for the top of the Motirolo. G.C. contender Tiberi had already been dropped by the group and Isaac Del Toro seemed to be fading under the pressure of an attack from Richard Carapaz.
Off the front of the peloton, there were the remnants of what was a 22-man breakaway. It’s down to Martinez, Huys, Eulálio, Oldani, Vendrame, Steinhauser, Meintjes, Houle, Vacek, Howson, Cattaneo, Harper. Zana, Bardet, Kelderman. Kruijswijk and Lemmen. Eulálio took the KOM points at the top of the Motirolo with Carapaz coming over 15 seconds later.
With a little over 30km remaining, a group of 6 lead the Carapaz group by 2’15” with the maglia rosa group at 2’34”. Del Toro had reconnected with the gruppo and his teammate Adam Yates was helping him out.
With 27km remaining, Carapaz was caught and the G.C. group was all together. The break still had a 1’52” advantage.
20km to go and the leaders were on the Valdisotto climb with the gruppo at 1’28”. Damien Howson was at the front of the GC group, driving the pace.
As they passed the 15km flag, the leader’s advantage fell to under a minute, and continued to shrink rapidly, down to just 30 seconds with a little over 12km remaining.
Romain Bardet was the lone rider left in front with just a 27 second advantage, but his lead was rapidly waning.
9km to go and Del Toro attacks the GC group. But Carapaz went too. Bardet was holding onto the lead by his fingernails.
With a little over 5km to go, Bardet was caught. It was now a trio at the front. A group with Yates was just 8 seconds back, though.
Del Toro had some legs! With an attack in the final kilometers he was able to win the stage with a 4 second gap over Bardet and Carapaz.
“I want to imagine [my Giro] like this,” Del Toro told reporters. “So far, it has been really good. I think this is my third or fourth podium this Giro. It is incredible.
“Everybody wants this and today I realised I will never give up, and I will always stay one step in front, and I will always try it. I have nothing to lose and today was not easier than yesterday, but for sure I have a better mentality.
“I predicted with the team that something like this would happen [Richard Carapaz’s attack on the Mortirolo], and of course, you don’t want to let go of all the GC riders. I went to them, I take it easy, I put a little bit of pressure on the other ones after the descent and then I just tried to relax and recover, because obviously that was a hard stage.
“We made this plan with the team and the team gave me all the confidence to try full gas. To attack on the last climb was the plan.”
2025 Giro d’Italia: Stage 17 Brief Results
- Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in 3h58’48”
- Romain Bardet (Picnic PostNL) +04″
- Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) s.t.
- Simon Yates (Visma | Lease a Bike) +15″
- Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) +16″
- Derek Gee (Israel-PremierTech) s.t.
- Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious) s.t.
- Einer Rubio (Movistar) s.t.
- Max Poole (Picnic PostNL) s.t.
- Alfonso Eulalio (Bahrain Victorious) +56″
General Classification After Stage 17
- Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
- ichard Carapaz (EF Education – EasyPost) at 41″
- Simon Yates (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) at 51″
- Derek Gee (Israel – Premier Tech) at 1’57”
- Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious) at 3’06”
Official Jerseys
- Maglia Rosa, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by IUMAN – Intimissimi Uomo – Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
- Maglia Ciclamino, leader of the Points Classification, in collaboration with Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale and ITA Italian Trade Agency – Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
- Maglia Azzurra, leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna (KOM), sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana Team)
- Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider, born after 01/01/2000, sponsored by Conad -Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG) – worn by Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
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