Latest news with #WoutVanAert
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Simon Yates conquers his demons to stunningly snatch Giro d'Italia glory on penultimate day
Simon Yates stands to win the Giro d'Italia after putting to bed his personal demons on the Colle delle Finestre with a stunning solo attack that put him in pink after the penultimate stage. On the mountain where his dreams of Giro victory were shattered by Chris Froome 's famous solo breakaway in 2018, Yates turned the tables with a masterclass of his own as his rivals were left to question their own tactics. The 32-year-old Lancastrian rode away from Isaac del Toro and Richard Carapaz on the brutal gradients and the gravel to turn an 81-second deficit and third place into pink and a three minute, 56-second lead over Del Toro, and can now celebrate his second Grand Tour crown in Rome on Sunday. That it happened on the Finestre made it all the more special for Yates. 'I think when the route of the parcours was released, I always had in the back of my mind to try and do something here and close the chapter, let's say,' he said. 'I'm just still a bit speechless that I was able to do it. 'I felt good, the whole race I did, but I never had the right moment to show what I could do and I found the opportunity today. I was trying to get away from Richard and Isaac because I knew when I could race at my own pace, I'd be really strong – and that's what I managed to do. 'The whole team have been fantastic the entire race, and without Wout (Van Aert) in the valley and the rest of the team the entire day, it wouldn't have been possible. 'Maybe I was looking relaxed this morning, but I had doubts I could do it. The guys encouraged me and believed in me, so thanks to them. 'It's unbelievable, I'm trying to find the words now, but words are failing me – sorry.' Australian Chris Harper took the stage 20 win from a breakaway in Sestriere but all eyes were further down the road as Yates blew the race apart with surely his finest day on a bike, shedding tears after the finish line. Carapaz and his EF Education-EasyPost team had been lining up an attack at the foot of the feared Finestre – the 18km climb which averages 9.2 per cent, with the final third ridden on gravel – and duly launched it almost as soon as the road went up. As UAE Team Emirates' Del Toro followed, Yates was initially distanced but was merely biding his time as he soon set off in pursuit, catching the pair and then launching his own attacks, opening up a gap with the fourth and riding clear, still with more than 40km of the 205km stage remaining. Carapaz tried to respond but could not, while the 21-year-old Del Toro, spending an 11th day in the pink jersey, simply stuck the Ecuadorian's wheel, refusing to take a turn until it proved to be too late. Yates crossed the summit of the climb, above the snow line and in the clouds, more than 90 seconds ahead of them, already the virtual leader of the race. That gap only grew on the descent as he hooked up with Visma-Lease a Bike team-mate Wout Van Aert and the pair behind accepted defeat, allowing the gap to balloon on the approach to the final climb into Sestriere. With Sunday's final stage in Rome one for the sprinters, Yates stands ready to celebrate his second Grand Tour victory following his win in the 2018 Vuelta a Espana. He will be the third Briton to win the Giro after Froome in 2018 and Tao Geohegan Hart in 2020.
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Simon Yates conquers Finestre demons to take Giro d'Italia glory
Simon Yates stands to win the Giro d'Italia after putting to bed his personal demons on the Colle delle Finestre with a stunning solo attack that put him in pink after the penultimate stage. On the mountain where his dreams of Giro victory were shattered by Chris Froome's famous solo breakaway in 2018, Yates turned the tables with a masterclass of his own as his rivals were left to question their own tactics. The 32-year-old Lancastrian rode away from Isaac del Toro and Richard Carapaz on the brutal gradients and the gravel to turn an 81-second deficit and third place into pink and a three minute, 56-second lead over Del Toro, and can now celebrate his second Grand Tour crown in Rome on Sunday. That it happened on the Finestre made it all the more special for Yates. 'I think when the route of the parcours was released, I always had in the back of my mind to try and do something here and close the chapter, let's say,' he said. 'I'm just still a bit speechless that I was able to do it. 'I felt good, the whole race I did, but I never had the right moment to show what I could do and I found the opportunity today. I was trying to get away from Richard and Isaac because I knew when I could race at my own pace, I'd be really strong – and that's what I managed to do. 'The whole team have been fantastic the entire race, and without Wout (Van Aert) in the valley and the rest of the team the entire day, it wouldn't have been possible. 'Maybe I was looking relaxed this morning, but I had doubts I could do it. The guys encouraged me and believed in me, so thanks to them. 'It's unbelievable, I'm trying to find the words now, but words are failing me – sorry.' Australian Chris Harper took the stage 20 win from a breakaway in Sestriere but all eyes were further down the road as Yates blew the race apart with surely his finest day on a bike, shedding tears after the finish line. Carapaz and his EF Education-EasyPost team had been lining up an attack at the foot of the feared Finestre – the 18km climb which averages 9.2 per cent, with the final third ridden on gravel – and duly launched it almost as soon as the road went up. As UAE Team Emirates' Del Toro followed, Yates was initially distanced but was merely biding his time as he soon set off in pursuit, catching the pair and then launching his own attacks, opening up a gap with the fourth and riding clear, still with more than 40km of the 205km stage remaining. Carapaz tried to respond but could not, while the 21-year-old Del Toro, spending an 11th day in the pink jersey, simply stuck the Ecuadorian's wheel, refusing to take a turn until it proved to be too late. Yates crossed the summit of the climb, above the snow line and in the clouds, more than 90 seconds ahead of them, already the virtual leader of the race. That gap only grew on the descent as he hooked up with Visma-Lease a Bike team-mate Wout Van Aert and the pair behind accepted defeat, allowing the gap to balloon on the approach to the final climb into Sestriere. With Sunday's final stage in Rome one for the sprinters, Yates stands ready to celebrate his second Grand Tour victory following his win in the 2018 Vuelta a Espana. He will be the third Briton to win the Giro after Froome in 2018 and Tao Geohegan Hart in 2020.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Yates snatches pink jersey from Del Toro on penultimate Giro stage
May 31 (Reuters) - Simon Yates rode a stage for the ages when he stormed into the overall lead of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday when the Visma-Lease a Bike rider erased overall leader Isaac Del Toro's lead to take the pink jersey on the penultimate stage of the race. The stage was won by Australian Chris Harper of Jayco-AlUla, who rode solo to the finish while Alessandro Verre was second, but all eyes were on Yates as he finished third to flip the general classification battle and take the overall lead. On the 205 km ride from Verres to Sestriere where riders gained 4,500 metres in altitude in total, it was Richard Carapaz or Yates who had to make a move if they were to take the pink jersey from Del Toro. Ultimately, it was Yates who put in a series of attacks in a bid to reel in Del Toro, who held an 81-second lead at the start of the stage. In 2018, Yates saw his dreams of winning the Giro crumble on the Colle delle Finestre climb when Chris Froome's attack left him far behind. But this time he redeemed himself on the same climb to take the lead and Del Toro did not respond even as the cavalry arrived in the form of Wout van Aert, who helped Yates power to the finish. Ultimately, Del Toro knew he had lost his chance and the 21-year-old eventually crossed the line more than five minutes behind Yates.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Yates snatches Giro title on stunning penultimate stage
British rider Simon Yates produced a stunning performance on the penultimate stage of the Giro d'Italia to snatch the pink jersey from Isaac del Toro and claim his second Grand Tour Toro came into the 20th and final competitive stage of the race with a 43-second lead over Richard Carapaz, with Yates trailing by one minute and 21 seconds in Del Toro, 21, would have clinched victory in his maiden Giro by successfully negotiating the Colle delle Finestre, the highest point of this year's race and where Yates' hopes of winning evaporated in Yates, 32, exorcised those ghosts as he attacked on the brutal ascent to leave Del Toro and Carapaz in his not only wiped out Del Toro's advantage but was one minute 41 seconds clear of his general classification rivals when he reached the Visma-Lease A Bike team had pulled off a masterstroke as team-mate Wout van Aert was in the breakaway group and allowed Yates to catch him on the descent, helping him build a comprehensive lead over the final Australian rider Chris Harper, who was the first over the Colle delle Finestre summit, claimed the second Grand Tour stage win of his career, with Yates crossing one minute 57 seconds later, third on the day. More to follow.
ABC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Pedersen wins Giro d'Italia stage 13, Del Toro extends general classification lead
Mads Pedersen has won his fourth stage of this year's Giro d'Italia after beating Wout van Aert to the line, while Isaac del Toro has marginally extended his overall lead to retain the pink jersey. As the riders neared the finish of the 180-kilometre ride from Rovigo to Vicenza, Pedersen (Lidl–Trek) was fourth when he launched his bid for victory in the 13th stage on the uphill sprint, squeezing his way past as Van Aert stayed close on his wheel. Del Toro had done well to earn bonus seconds in the intermediate sprint, but the 21-year-old did not have the legs to challenge the sprint heavyweights as he settled for third, leaving Pedersen and Van Aert to battle it out for victory. Ultimately, it was Pedersen who powered through to the finish to take the win by less than a bike length, even as Van Aert — riding for Visma—Lease a Bike — tried his best to make a last-ditch lunge. "What an incredible Giro this is," Pedersen said. "Timing my effort was dictated by instinct. I had to open up on the right side close to the barriers. So I went a bit earlier than I wanted to. "On such a hard day and a finale like this, everyone has burning legs in the finale. It was definitely nice to have seen it before. "I'm happy with this win and adding another 50 points for the Maglia Ciclamino [purple jersey]. I'm overwhelmed with winning again." Del Toro leads his UAE Team Emirates teammate Juan Ayuso by 38 seconds in the general classification. Antonio Tiberi of Bahrain Victorious is 1:18 behind in third place. Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), who was 20th in stage 13, is the best-placed Australian in the general classification. He holds down 14th position, 3:37 adrift of del Toro. Reuters/ABC
