Giro d’Italia Stages 4-9: Dutch Sprinter Surprises, Pink Jersey Changes Hands in Dramatic Week as Early Dominance of Pedersen Gives Way to Fresh Faces

Mexican Prodigy Claims Pink as Race Serves Up Five Different Leaders in Nine Days

SIENA, Italy (May 18, 2025) — The 108th Giro d’Italia has unfolded as a spectacular showcase of cycling’s unpredictable nature, with the race’s first nine days producing a narrative worthy of Italian opera: five different riders wearing the coveted maglia rosa, breakthrough performances from young talents, and veterans demonstrating their enduring class across Italy’s diverse landscapes.

The race, which began in Albania before transferring to southern Italy, has traversed the peninsula’s varied terrain, from flat coastal roads to the punishing white gravel sectors of Tuscany. Each day has added new chapters to an evolving story that has captivated cycling fans worldwide.

What began as a display of dominance by Danish powerhouse Mads Pedersen has transformed into a platform for cycling’s next generation, with 21-year-old Mexican Isaac Del Toro now leading the race as both the youngest Giro leader this century and the first from his nation to don the iconic pink jersey.

Stage 4: Dutch Rookie Announces Arrival With Maiden Victory

LECCE, Italy — The cycling world witnessed the emergence of a promising new talent on May 13 when 23-year-old Dutch rookie Casper Van Uden (Team Picnic PostNL) claimed victory in Stage 4, the first Grand Tour stage win of his career. In a remarkable display of national dominance, Van Uden led an all-Dutch podium in Lecce, besting compatriots Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) and Maikel Zijlaard (Tudor Pro Cycling Team).

The 189-kilometer stage from Alberobello (Pietramadre) to Lecce unfolded as a classic sprinter’s day, with teams carefully controlling the early breakaway before the tension ratcheted up in the closing kilometers. Team Picnic PostNL delivered their young sprinter to the front with perfect timing, allowing Van Uden to unleash a powerful finishing kick that neither Kooij nor Zijlaard could match.

“I didn’t do it alone. I did it with the whole team, all the boys here, the staff, the HQ as well,” an elated Van Uden said moments after crossing the finish line. “I know I have a good long sprint. We did a good job with the lead out since the beginning of the season.”

The significance of the moment was not lost on the young Dutchman, who reflected on his breakthrough during the press conference: “When you’ve done it once, you know it’s possible so you can keep fighting for it. Sometimes it takes longer for someone to reach a win at this level.”

Denmark’s Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) retained the maglia rosa despite finishing fourth in the stage, maintaining his overall lead in the general classification ahead of pre-race favorite Primož Roglič (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe).

“It was special to wear the maglia rosa in a road race today and not in a time trial that lasted fifteen minutes or so on Saturday,” Pedersen said, acknowledging the significance of the race’s iconic leader’s jersey. “This jersey is so special for Italy. It’s an incredible experience.”

Stage 4 Results:

1. Casper Van Uden (Team Picnic PostNL) – 189km in 4h02’21”, average speed 46.792 km/h
2. Olav Kooij (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) s.t.
3. Maikel Zijlaard (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) s.t.

General Classification After Stage 4:

1. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
2. Primož Roglič (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) at 7″
3. Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) at 14″

Official Jerseys After Stage 4:

• Maglia Rosa (Pink Jersey), leader of the General Classification, sponsored by IUMAN – Intimissimi Uomo – Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
• Maglia Ciclamino (Cyclamen Jersey), 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 (Blue Jersey), leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna (KOM), sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana Team)
• Maglia Bianca (White Jersey), Best Young Rider, born after 01/01/2000, sponsored by Conad – Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek)

Stage 5: Pedersen Cements Authority With Uphill Sprint Mastery

MATERA, Italy — If there were any doubts about Mads Pedersen’s versatility, the Danish champion silenced them with an impressive uphill sprint victory in Stage 5. The Lidl-Trek rider narrowly defeated Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain Victorious) and Thomas Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) in a finish that tested the riders’ endurance after a challenging final 20 kilometers.

The 151-kilometer stage from Ceglie Messapica to Matera played into Pedersen’s strengths as a powerful sprinter who can handle punchy climbs. As the road tilted upward in the ancient city of Matera, known for its unique cave dwellings, Pedersen unleashed a perfectly timed acceleration that his rivals could not match.

“I wasn’t sure at all if I had won. It was incredibly hard in the last 20km. I suffered a lot,” Pedersen admitted after securing his third win in five stages. “Three wins in five stages and winning with the maglia rosa is insane. It’s way more than I have ever dreamt of.”

The victory extended Pedersen’s lead in the general classification to 17 seconds over Primož Roglič and 24 seconds over his teammate Mathias Vacek, consolidating Lidl-Trek’s dominant start to the race.

At the press conference, Pedersen acknowledged the strength of his team: “We wanted to be as good as possible and wear the maglia rosa in Albania. Now with three wins out of five stages, it’s bigger than our dream. It makes me super proud of the team that were so committed to make it possible.”

With this victory, Pedersen became the first rider to win three stages out of the first five since Mario Cipollini in 1997, raising the possibility that he could match Learco Guerra’s 1934 record of four victories in the first six stages.

Stage 5 Results:

1. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) – 151km in 3h27’31”, average speed 43.659 km/h
2. Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain Victorious) s.t.
3. Thomas Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) s.t.

General Classification After Stage 5:

1. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
2. Primož Roglič (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) at 17″
3. Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) at 24″

Official Jerseys After Stage 5:

• Maglia Rosa (Pink Jersey), leader of the General Classification, sponsored by IUMAN – Intimissimi Uomo – Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
• Maglia Ciclamino (Cyclamen Jersey), 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 (Blue Jersey), leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna (KOM), sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana Team)
• Maglia Bianca (White Jersey), Best Young Rider, born after 01/01/2000, sponsored by Conad – Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek)

Stage 6: Chaos and Controversy as Groves Triumphs in Neutralized Race

NAPLES, Italy — Stage 6 to Naples was marred by drama of a different kind when a massive crash with 72 kilometers remaining led race officials to make the controversial decision to neutralize the race. The incident, which occurred on slippery roads during a high-speed descent, sent numerous riders tumbling to the asphalt, including 2022 champion Jai Hindley and race leader Mads Pedersen.

The chaotic scene prompted race directors to temporarily halt competitive racing, allowing injured riders to receive medical attention and regain contact with the peloton. When racing resumed under more controlled conditions, Australia’s Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) outsprinted Milan Fretin (Cofidis) and Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) for his first win of the season.

“First win of the year, it’s a big relief,” Groves said after the stage. “The team has believed in me. It hasn’t been a great start of the season. With the injury I missed a lot of racing.”

For Groves, who had struggled with form and fitness early in the season, the victory represented a welcome return to the winner’s circle and highlighted his resilience in navigating the day’s challenging circumstances.

Race leader Pedersen, sporting visible wounds at the press conference, described the harrowing crash: “I had better days, to say like this. It’s never nice to crash in a downhill like this at 70kph. There were bikes everywhere, I lost mine as well. It happened in a fraction of a second.”

Despite the crash, Pedersen maintained the maglia rosa, with the general classification remaining unchanged due to the neutralization. The decision sparked debate among teams and riders, but most acknowledged that safety had to be the primary concern given the severity of the crash.

Stage 6 Results:

1. Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) – 217.5km in 4h59’52”, average speed 43.519 km/h
2. Milan Fretin (Cofidis) s.t.
3. Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) s.t.

General Classification After Stage 6:

1. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
2. Primož Roglič (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) at 17″
3. Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) at 24″

Official Jerseys After Stage 6:

• Maglia Rosa (Pink Jersey), leader of the General Classification, sponsored by IUMAN – Intimissimi Uomo – Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek)
• Maglia Ciclamino (Cyclamen Jersey), 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 (Blue Jersey), leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna (KOM), sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana Team)
• Maglia Bianca (White Jersey), Best Young Rider, born after 01/01/2000, sponsored by Conad – Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek)

Stage 7: Ayuso Claims Maiden Grand Tour Win as Roglič Seizes Pink

TAGLIACOZZO, Italy — The race’s complexion changed dramatically on Stage 7 to Tagliacozzo, where rising Spanish talent Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates XRG) showcased his immense potential with a perfectly timed attack on the first uphill finish of the race. The 22-year-old prodigy’s explosive acceleration in the final kilometer proved decisive, catapulting him to his maiden Grand Tour victory.

The 168-kilometer stage from Castel di Sangro to Tagliacozzo featured undulating terrain that gradually sapped the energy from the riders’ legs before the testing final climb. As the gradient steepened, Ayuso launched a devastating attack that none of his rivals could answer, crossing the line four seconds ahead of his teammate Isaac Del Toro, with former Tour de France champion Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) claiming third place.

Juan Ayuso Pesquera of UAE Team Emirates XRG winner of the stage during the stage 7 of the Giro d’Italia from Castel di Sangro to Tagliacozzo, Italy – Friday, May 16, 2025. Sport – cycling. (Photo by Gian Mattia D’Alberto/LaPresse)

“This is not only a victory, it’s my first in a Grand Tour. I’ll always remember it,” an emotional Ayuso said after the stage. “I knew I had space for a 30 to 45 seconds maximum effort.”

The stage marked the end of Mads Pedersen’s grip on the maglia rosa, with Slovenian pre-race favorite Primož Roglič taking over the race lead after a strong performance that limited his losses to the stage winner. For Roglič, the three-time Vuelta a España champion seeking his first Giro title, the pink jersey represented another milestone in his illustrious career.

“I always want to win but today I still have the maglia rosa and I enjoy it. We never know when it’s the last one,” Roglič said philosophically. “I won’t do ten more Giro… I already knew that Juan Ayuso was a fast guy and that he’d be a tough opponent but it’s only the beginning of the Giro, life goes on.”

The general classification underwent significant restructuring, with Roglič now leading Ayuso by four seconds and Del Toro by nine seconds, setting up a fascinating battle between experience and youth as the race progressed.

Stage 7 Results:

1. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates XRG) – 168km in 4h20’25”, average speed 38.707 km/h
2. Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG) at 4″
3. Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) s.t.

General Classification After Stage 7:

1. Primož Roglič (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe)
2. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates XRG) at 4″
3. Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG) at 9″

Official Jerseys After Stage 7:

• Maglia Rosa (Pink Jersey), leader of the General Classification, sponsored by IUMAN – Intimissimi Uomo – Primož Roglič (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe)
• Maglia Ciclamino (Cyclamen Jersey), 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 (Blue Jersey), leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna (KOM), sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana Team)
• Maglia Bianca (White Jersey), Best Young Rider, born after 01/01/2000, sponsored by Conad – Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates XRG)

Stage 8: Plapp Solos to Glory as Italian Veteran Claims Pink

CASTELRAIMONDO, Italy — The Giro’s unpredictable nature continued to assert itself on Stage 8 to Castelraimondo, where Australian Luke Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla) delivered a masterclass in solo riding to secure an impressive victory. The Olympic track medalist turned road professional demonstrated his immense engine by attacking from the breakaway with 45 kilometers remaining and holding off a determined chase to claim the win.

The 197-kilometer stage from Giulianova to Castelraimondo featured rolling terrain that proved perfect for a breakaway, with Plapp making the decisive move on a mid-stage climb that caught his fellow escapees by surprise. Riding with the power and poise that has marked him as a future Grand Tour contender, the Australian maintained a steady advantage over the chasing peloton to finish 38 seconds ahead of Wilco Kelderman (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) and Diego Ulissi (XDS Astana Team).

“It’s crazy. I can’t believe it to be honest,” an emotional Plapp said after crossing the finish line. “I feel like it’s been a long time coming, just targeting the Aussie summer and not being able to make a result happen in Europe.”

For Plapp, whose early promise had yet to translate into major European victories, the win represented a significant breakthrough and confirmation of his talent on cycling’s biggest stages.

Behind Plapp, the battle for general classification positions produced yet another leadership change, with 35-year-old Italian veteran Diego Ulissi taking the maglia rosa for the first time in his career. The XDS Astana rider’s ascension to race leadership ended a four-year drought for Italian riders in the maglia rosa, sending the home fans into raptures.

“I don’t easily let myself taken by emotions but when I was presented with the maglia rosa and saw XDS Astana stamped on it, I became emotional,” Ulissi said. “I’m 35, soon 36 years of age, I’ve had nice satisfactions in my cycling career with eight stage wins at the Giro, I’ve built a nice family with three daughters, so when I first saw this jersey, I’ve thought of all my family members, especially those who took me to races when I was a kid.”

Ulissi’s unexpected rise to the race lead highlighted the Giro’s capacity for romantic narratives, with the experienced Italian now leading the general classification by 12 seconds over teammate Lorenzo Fortunato and 17 seconds over former leader Primož Roglič.

Stage 8 Results:

1. Luke Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla) – 197 km in 4h44’20”, average speed 41.571 km/h
2. Wilco Kelderman (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) at 38″
3. Diego Ulissi (XDS Astana Team) s.t.

General Classification After Stage 8:

1. Diego Ulissi (XDS Astana Team)
2. Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana Team) at 12″
3. Primož Roglič (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) at 17″

Official Jerseys After Stage 8:

• Maglia Rosa (Pink Jersey), leader of the General Classification, sponsored by IUMAN – Intimissimi Uomo – Diego Ulissi (XDS Astana Team)
• Maglia Ciclamino (Cyclamen Jersey), 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 (Blue Jersey), leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna (KOM), sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana Team)
• Maglia Bianca (White Jersey), Best Young Rider, born after 01/01/2000, sponsored by Conad – Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates XRG)

Stage 9: Van Aert Masters Tuscany’s White Roads as Del Toro Makes History

SIENA, Italy — The dramatic first week of the Giro d’Italia concluded on the iconic white gravel roads of Tuscany with Stage 9 to Siena, where Belgian superstar Wout Van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) secured his first Giro d’Italia stage victory and completed his collection of stage wins in all three Grand Tours. The versatile rider outsprinted Mexican sensation Isaac Del Toro at the finish in Siena’s magnificent Piazza del Campo, with Italian climber Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) crossing the line in third place 58 seconds later.

The 181-kilometer stage from Gubbio to Siena, featuring sections of the famous “strade bianche” or white roads that have become a signature of Tuscan cycling, provided a fitting finale to an unpredictable opening week. The challenging terrain and dusty gravel sectors created a natural selection among the riders, with Van Aert and Del Toro emerging as the strongest after a day of attritional racing.

“It’s without saying that to win a stage of the Giro after a long period with no win feels very good,” Van Aert, who had endured a difficult start to the season, said in the press conference. “I’m an emotional person. A lot of emotions passed through my mind when I got this victory. Siena is almost the best place to finish a bike race.”

For Van Aert, victory in the storied surroundings of Siena’s shell-shaped piazza represented a welcome return to winning ways after an uncharacteristic drought that had prompted questions about his form. The Belgian’s triumph also underscored his extraordinary versatility, having now won Grand Tour stages in time trials, bunch sprints, and challenging classics-style finishes.

While Van Aert celebrated stage honors, the day produced yet another seismic shift in the general classification. Twenty-one-year-old Mexican Isaac Del Toro became both the youngest leader of the Giro and the first Mexican ever to wear the maglia rosa, creating cycling history and triggering celebrations throughout his home country.

“It’s unbelievable, it’s so difficult to describe my feelings. It was a childhood dream to lead a Grand Tour. It’s insane,” an incredulous Del Toro said after donning the pink jersey. “I just kept going after a crash. I found myself in a group with Egan [Bernal] and I told them I couldn’t push because I had team-mates behind.”

The stage resulted in a complete reshuffling of the general classification, with Del Toro now leading teammate Juan Ayuso by 1 minute 13 seconds and Italy’s Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) by 1 minute 30 seconds. Previous race leader Diego Ulissi dropped out of the top positions after struggling on the punishing white roads.

Stage 9 Results:

1. Wout Van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – 181 km in 4h15’08”, average speed 42.565 km/h
2. Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG) s.t.
3. Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) at 58″

General Classification After Stage 9:

1. Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
2. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates XRG) at 1’13”
3. Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) at 1’30”

Official Jerseys After Stage 9:

• Maglia Rosa (Pink Jersey), leader of the General Classification, sponsored by IUMAN – Intimissimi Uomo – Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)
• Maglia Ciclamino (Cyclamen Jersey), 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 (Blue Jersey), leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna (KOM), sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana Team)
• Maglia Bianca (White Jersey), Best Young Rider, born after 01/01/2000, sponsored by Conad – Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG)

A Week of Upheaval Sets the Stage for Even More Drama

As the Giro d’Italia pauses in Perugia for its first rest day, the race has already defied expectations. In just nine stages, five different riders have worn the maglia rosa, underscoring the volatile nature of this year’s edition and upending pre-race predictions that cast Primož Roglič as the inevitable dominator.

Instead, a new generation has surged to the fore. Young riders like Isaac Del Toro, Juan Ayuso, and Casper Van Uden have injected the race with energy and unpredictability, while veterans such as Mads Pedersen, Wout van Aert, and Roglič have shown flashes of brilliance amid the chaos. Del Toro, now in possession of both the pink jersey and the white jersey for best young rider, faces a daunting task: defending his lead through the Giro’s mountainous second and third weeks.

For Pedersen, who has slipped down the general classification but remains the leader in the points competition with the maglia ciclamino, the goal will be to seize any remaining sprint opportunities. Meanwhile, Lorenzo Fortunato’s grip on the maglia azzurra as mountains classification leader will be tested severely as the peloton ascends into the high Alps.

The next phase begins with a critical individual time trial on Stage 10, followed by the race’s first genuine high-mountain stages in the Apennines. These will offer a stern test of Del Toro’s credentials and an opportunity for seasoned contenders like Roglič to begin clawing back lost time.

After a week of surprise and spectacle, the only constant is uncertainty. With the toughest terrain still ahead, the battle for the final maglia rosa in Rome remains wide open. The Giro, true to form, continues to live up to its reputation as cycling’s most capricious Grand Tour.

Tactical Crossroads: Youthful Bravado vs. Veteran Strategy

The first week of racing has laid bare a shifting tactical landscape, pitting the exuberance of rising stars against the steadiness of established powers. UAE Team Emirates XRG, the team of current race leader Del Toro and runner-up Ayuso, has embraced an aggressive, risk-taking style that has forced more traditional squads onto the back foot.

Lidl-Trek, guided by the consistent brilliance of Mads Pedersen, relied early on a conventional Grand Tour formula: control the race, keep the leader safe, and win key moments. That strategy paid dividends through Stage 6, but once the terrain began to bite, the limitations of backing a sprinter in the overall classification became clear.

Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe, supporting pre-race favorite Roglič, has so far played a patient game. Their conservative approach hints at a strategy built around the high mountains, where Roglič’s climbing pedigree will be most valuable. Though his time in pink was brief, the Slovenian remains very much in the hunt.

XDS–Astana, meanwhile, provided the week’s most unexpected twist. Diego Ulissi’s brief stint in the maglia rosa after Stage 8 highlighted the power of opportunism. Though fleeting, it was a moment that validated their aggressive tactics—placing riders in breakaways and capitalizing on the race’s inherent unpredictability.

The current standings, with UAE’s youthful tandem perched atop the GC, mark a clear departure from traditional Grand Tour hierarchies. Whether their form can endure the attrition of a full three-week campaign remains to be seen. But their willingness to animate the race has already forced rivals to adapt.

As the second week begins, expect the more experienced teams to test the young duo’s depth and resilience. The Stage 10 time trial will offer the first clear indication of whether Del Toro can defend his lead against more specialized threats.

On the Horizon: Mountains to Decide Del Toro’s Fate

With the flat and rolling stages of week one now in the rearview, the Giro shifts decisively upward. Stage 10’s individual time trial presents an immediate and unforgiving challenge for Del Toro, whose abilities against the clock remain largely unproven at this level.

As a relatively unproven time trialist at the WorldTour level, his performance will reveal whether he can defend the maglia rosa against stronger specialists. This stage could expose vulnerabilities or reinforce his credibility as a legitimate Grand Tour contender.

Juan Ayuso, currently second overall and a more accomplished time trialist, has a prime opportunity to take time on his teammate and possibly seize the race lead—introducing potential tactical tension within UAE Team Emirates XRG.

For Primož Roglič, the time trial is a key chance to begin his comeback. Known for his time trial strength, especially in Grand Tours, a strong performance could vault him back into serious contention and justify his team’s patient strategy.

The subsequent mountain stages in the Apennines will begin to shape the climbing hierarchy. Roglič, still within reach of the lead despite a subdued start, will look to assert himself as the road begins to tilt skyward. His proven endurance and tactical acumen could be decisive as the race grows more selective.

For Ayuso, the next block of racing presents an opportunity to step out of his teammate’s shadow. Having already claimed a breakthrough stage win, the young Spaniard now finds himself in the curious position of being both ally and potential rival to Del Toro—a dynamic that could reshape the race in the days to come.

Fatigue will increasingly factor into the equation. The cumulative toll of racing begins to separate true Grand Tour contenders from those chasing stages or classifications. Del Toro’s ability to recover and respond to pressure will be under constant scrutiny as the Giro enters its defining stretch.

Nine days in, the Giro has already delivered plot twists worthy of a final week. With its most brutal tests still ahead, the race for pink remains gloriously unpredictable. The only thing we know for sure: the best—and the hardest—is still to come.