Del Toro extends Giro d'Italia lead with stage 17 win as Australians Vine and Plapp abandon race
Isaac del Toro has maintained his excellent form at the Giro d'Italia to win stage 17 with a perfectly timed sprint, while Australian riders Jay Vine and Luke Plapp both withdrew from the race.
Del Toro led home the field in the 155-kilometre route from San Michele all'Adige to Bormio to extend his lead in the general classification.
The young Mexican's first stage victory meant the day ended in triumph for the UAE Emirates-XRG team after an early blow when Vine was forced to retire.
Vine appeared to have withdrawn on the category-two Tonale climb, about 90km from the stage finish.
Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla), who won stage eight, was similarly placed when he abandoned the race.
Adding to the disappointment of the Australian contingent, Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) faded to lose more than 4 minutes on del Toro, finishing in 29th place.
Storer appears out of contention in the general classification, sitting 7 minutes and 46 seconds adrift of Del Toro in 10th place on the standings.
Del Toro was the freshest rider at the end of the final ascent and he broke away from Romain Bardet (Picnic-PostNL) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) with just over 2km left in the stage.
Bardet crossed the line four seconds after Del Toro, with Carapaz in third.
Del Toro's spectacular effort breathed new life into his bid to win a first Grand Tour.
His display erased any doubts that arose after the pink jersey holder saw his lead shrink in a chaotic stage 16.
"I imagined that I could win a stage with the Maglia Rosa (pink jersey)," del Toro said after his win.
"The Giro has been very good so far.
"The fight for the podium is incredible. Today I realised that I will never give up. I will always try to win.
"I have nothing to lose. It wasn't any easier today than yesterday."
Del Toro now leads overall by 41 seconds from Carapaz, who has a 10-second advantage over Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike).
Reuters/AAP
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