Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) struck back in the battle for the Giro d’Italia maglia rosa and extended his race lead, winning stage 17 to Bormio with a late attack 1.7km from the finish.
The Mexican leapt clear from a select group of GC favorites on the final climb of the day at Le Motte, 9km from the finish of the 155km stage, taking his main GC rival Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) with him.
The pair collected breakaway survivor Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) on the largely downhill run to the line, taking turns to hold off the chasing group behind. It looked like though the stage would culminate in a three-man sprint to the line, but Del Toro had other ideas and put in one last move to go clear on the streets of Bormio.
Carapaz didn’t have it in him to match the acceleration and shed four seconds – plus six bonus seconds – to the 21-year-old Mexican at the line as Bardet beat him to second place.
Further back, Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) led home the chase group at 15 seconds down, with Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech), and Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious) among those accompanying the Briton.
Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) came home in the next group on the road, 1:10 down, while Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling) finished four minutes back. The big GC loser of the day, however, was Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious), who lost even more time after dropping on the stage’s big climb, the Passo del Mortirolo.
Who is the Golden Boy?
Isaac del Toro Romero is a Mexican cyclist born in Ensenada, Baja California, on November 27, 2003. His passion for cycling led him to international prominence, becoming the first Mexican to win the Tour de l’Avenir and lead the Giro d’Italia.
Isaac del Toro was influenced by his parents, who are also cycling enthusiasts. Since childhood, he practiced mountain biking, cyclocross, and road racing.
At 16, he joined the A.R. Monex Pro Cycling Team, based in San Marino. This team specializes in training Mexican cyclists seeking to compete in Europe.
Isaac del Toro currently rides for UAE Team Emirates XRG, a team in the top tier of professional cycling (UCI World Team).
His victory in the Tour de l’Avenir and his lead in the Giro d’Italia have been widely recognized for his talent and determination.
