Under the eternal skies of Rome, cycling history was made on June 1, 2025, as Simon Yates, the 32-year-old British rider from Team Visma, clinched the Giro d'Italia 2025 title. Yates’ victory was sealed following a breathtaking penultimate stage on May 31, where his daring attack on the feared Colle delle Finestre mountain pass created an almost four-minute gap that proved insurmountable heading into the final day.
This triumph marks Yates’ second Grand Tour win, adding to his 2018 Vuelta a España title and solidifying his status among the elite in professional cycling. The final stage, a 143-kilometer flat route through the streets of Rome, was a ceremonial procession for Yates, with no attacks disrupting the general classification. Instead, the day ended in a thrilling sprint, won by Olav Kooij, Yates’ teammate, who crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 12 minutes, and 19 seconds, capping off a memorable week for Team Visma.
While Yates basked in his well-earned glory, the real sensation of this Giro was undoubtedly the young Mexican prodigy Isaac del Toro. At just 21 years old and riding for UAE Team Emirates, del Toro wore the coveted maglia rosa—the leader’s pink jersey—for ten consecutive stages between the 9th and 19th days of racing. His fearless climbing and resilience against the sport’s top contenders captivated fans worldwide and culminated in a remarkable second-place finish, the best ever by a Mexican cyclist in a Grand Tour.
Del Toro’s audacity on the mountains was a highlight throughout the race, and his performance has ignited a cycling fervor in Mexico, where he is now hailed as a rising star. Despite his youth and relative inexperience, he maintained composure under pressure and held his own against seasoned veterans.
Completing the podium was Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz, a seasoned Grand Tour contender and 2019 Giro champion. Carapaz, riding for EF Education-EasyPost, once again demonstrated his consistency and tenacity by securing third place overall, finishing 4 minutes and 43 seconds behind Yates. This marks Carapaz’s fifth career Grand Tour podium, an impressive resume that includes his 2019 Giro victory, second place in the 2020 Vuelta a España, third in the 2021 Tour de France, and second in last year’s Giro.
Carapaz’s performance throughout the race was marked by determination and tactical savvy, though he was unable to match Yates’ blistering pace on the Colle delle Finestre. His next major challenge will be the Tour de France, set to take place from July 5 to July 27, where fans eagerly anticipate his continued pursuit of Grand Tour glory.
Aside from the general classification drama, other competitions within the Giro also saw spirited battles. The sprint classification, symbolized by the maglia ciclamino, was won by Danish rider Mads Pedersen of Trek-Segafredo, who consistently amassed points through several flat stage victories. The mountains classification, represented by the maglia azzurra, was claimed by Swiss climber Gino Mäder of Bahrain Victorious, who excelled on the race’s toughest ascents.
The maglia bianca, awarded to the best young rider, went to Hungarian Attila Valter of Groupama-FDJ, signaling a bright future for the talented young rider and his team. The top ten general classification was rounded out by notable names such as Derek Gee (Israel - Premier Tech) in fourth, Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious) in fifth, and former Giro winner Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) in seventh.
In the final stage’s early action, a breakaway group featuring riders like Verre, Paleni, Cerny, Hepburn, Pietrobon, and Marcellusi animated the race, attempting to shake up the peloton. However, the main contenders remained safely tucked in, preserving the overall standings as the race concluded with a high-speed sprint in Rome.
The Giro’s recent history highlights a string of exceptional champions, including Tadej Pogacar in 2024, Primoz Roglic in 2023, Jai Hindley in 2022, Egan Bernal in 2021, and Tao Geoghegan Hart in 2020, underscoring the race’s reputation as a proving ground for cycling’s best.
Looking ahead, the cycling calendar shifts focus to the Critérium du Dauphiné, scheduled from June 8 to June 15, 2025. This race, often seen as a precursor to the Tour de France, will feature top contenders such as Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel, promising more thrilling action in the months to come.
Simon Yates’ Giro victory is a testament to his tactical brilliance and physical prowess, achieved on one of the sport’s most challenging stages. Isaac del Toro’s breakout performance signals a new wave of talent rising in the cycling world, while Richard Carapaz’s continued excellence cements his legacy as one of Latin America’s premier riders. As the peloton turns its attention to the summer’s Grand Tours, the 2025 Giro d’Italia will be remembered as a race of unforgettable moments and emerging legends.
