The 2025 Giro d'Italia concluded with a dramatic and historic finale that saw Mexican cyclist Isaac del Toro secure a remarkable runner-up position, while British rider Simon Yates claimed the overall victory. The penultimate stage, held on May 31, 2025, proved to be a turning point in the race, as Yates launched a decisive attack in the mountains, overtaking the young Mexican who had held the coveted Maglia Rosa for ten days.
Throughout the race, the rivalry between Isaac del Toro and Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz had been a focal point, captivating fans with their intense competition. However, it was Yates who emerged as a formidable third contender, executing a brilliant team strategy and mountain assault that reshaped the leaderboard. Starting the stage third overall, 1 minute and 21 seconds behind the leaders, Yates made his move on the challenging Colle delle Finestre climb, an 8-kilometer ascent that tested the riders' endurance and tactics.
Del Toro, only 21 years old and experiencing his first Giro, showed impressive composure on the gravel sections, a terrain that suits his mountain biking background. Despite maintaining a strong pace and responding to Carapaz's attacks, he was unable to counter Yates' relentless push. At 34.2 kilometers from the finish, Carapaz surged ahead, but Del Toro stayed close, refusing to relinquish ground easily. Meanwhile, Yates steadily increased his lead, surpassing Carapaz and setting his sights on the Maglia Rosa.
By the time Del Toro realized Yates had taken the lead, approximately 31.5 kilometers from the finish, the young Mexican began to feel the strain. His attempt to escape failed as Carapaz matched his efforts, and Yates extended his advantage to 34 seconds. The crowd's cheers of "Forza Del Toro!" echoed along the course, urging the Mexican on, yet the gap proved insurmountable. The Latin American duo of Del Toro and Carapaz briefly united in a chase, but Yates' momentum was unstoppable.
Simon Yates' emotional victory was underscored by tears at the finish line, a testament to the grueling effort and significance of the achievement. The British rider's triumph marked a first for him in the Giro d'Italia and capped a spectacular performance by the Visma-Lease a Bike team.
For Isaac del Toro, the outcome was bittersweet. Despite losing the Maglia Rosa and finishing second overall—3 minutes and 56 seconds behind Yates—he made history as the first Mexican to wear the leader's jersey for more than a week and the youngest cyclist to podium at the Giro in 85 years. His performance has ignited national pride and brought unprecedented attention to cycling in Mexico.
Reflecting on the race, Del Toro expressed mixed emotions. In an interview with DSports, he candidly stated, "Being second place means I didn't win; I was the first to lose. That's something Mexicans need to understand." He praised his team, UAE Team Emirates XRG, acknowledging their confidence in him and the collective effort throughout the competition. "They really deserved to win, not just for me personally but for all the work we did together," he added.
The rivalry between Del Toro and Carapaz reached a tense moment after Stage 20 when the Ecuadorian criticized the Mexican's race strategy. Carapaz, who finished third overall, remarked, "We, the strongest, could have won, but the smartest won... In the end, he (Del Toro) lost the Giro, I think he didn't know how to race well." Del Toro responded by revealing that Carapaz refused to cooperate during a critical climb to prevent British cyclist Simon Yates from escaping. "In the last part of the climb, I tried to work with Carapaz, but he didn't want to. Nor could I give it my all with him alone on my wheel, because then he would attack me from behind. And if I lost the classification, I didn't want to lose second place as well," Del Toro explained.
The controversy extended beyond the riders, with Ecuadorian media outlet Metro Ecuador publishing a harsh critique titled "The mediocrity of Isaac del Toro harmed Carapaz!" The article accused Del Toro of lacking the experience and intelligence needed to defend the lead and blamed him for Carapaz settling for third place. This sparked a social media backlash from Mexican fans, who defended Del Toro and dismissed the Ecuadorian criticism as sour grapes.
Stage 20's individual results highlighted the fierce competition, with Chris Harper of Team Jayco AlUla winning the stage in 5:27:29, followed by Alessandro Verre and Simon Yates. Del Toro finished ninth on the stage, 7 minutes and 10 seconds behind Harper, while maintaining his overall second position. The general classification after Stage 20 featured Yates in first place with a total time of 79:18:42, Del Toro second at +3:56, and Carapaz third at +4:43.
The final stage on June 1, 2025, was a ceremonial procession through Rome, with no expected changes in the standings. Dutch cyclist Olav Kooij won the stage in a sprint finish, while the podium remained unchanged. Del Toro donned the white jersey as the best young rider, further cementing his status as a rising star in professional cycling.
Experts have hailed Del Toro's performance as a historic milestone for Mexican cycling. At just 21, he not only matched but surpassed a record held by the legendary Fausto Coppi, becoming the youngest cyclist to wear the Maglia Rosa for ten days and to reach the Giro podium in nearly a century. His promising career is now under the spotlight, with expectations high for future Grand Tours.
Looking ahead, Del Toro and his UAE Team Emirates squad will turn their focus to the Tour de France, starting July 5, 2025, and later the Vuelta a España. The experience gained from this Giro will be invaluable as the young Mexican aims to build on his breakthrough and challenge the world's best in cycling's most prestigious events.
In the end, the 2025 Giro d'Italia will be remembered not only for Simon Yates' triumphant ascent but also for Isaac del Toro's inspiring journey—a story of youthful talent, fierce competition, and the arrival of a new star on the global cycling stage.
