UAE Team Emirates faced a challenging day in Stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia, with Isaac del Toro clinging to the Maglia Rosa but seeing his lead significantly reduced. The 203km stage from Piazzola sul Brenta to San Valentino involved four categorized climbs and a daunting 5,000 meters of elevation, testing the riders’ endurance and strategy.
Del Toro, while still holding the Pink Jersey, found his lead cut to just 26 seconds over Simon Yates of British team Visma–Lease a Bike, with Richard Carapaz, the 2019 Giro champion, trailing close behind. The stage was won by Christian Scaroni, but the real drama unfolded further back in the peloton.
Just prior to the stage, UAE Team Emirates had solidified their leadership choice, deciding that the young Mexican, Del Toro, would be the head of the team despite his teammate Juan Ayuso’s prior standings. Sports manager Joxean Matxin emphasized Del Toro’s strength in the race, stating, “He’s the leader with 1:20 on the second rider, through his own merits.”
However, on the Santa Barbara climb, Ayuso was dropped from the leading group, raising questions about his ability to assist Del Toro moving forward. Ultimately, after a fierce competition, Del Toro struggled on the final climb, unable to keep pace with Carapaz and Yates, finishing in 13th place, 1 minute 36 seconds behind Carapaz.
Del Toro reflected on his ride, stating, “I suffered every moment… I have no regrets, the team were incredible.” His determination remains strong, as he recognizes the need to tactically approach the remaining stages of the Giro.
Carapaz demonstrated his strength and experience during this stage, remarking on his efforts and preparation throughout the years leading to this race, while Yates has strategically positioned himself as a strong contender moving closer to the Maglia Rosa.
Looking ahead, Wednesday’s route will present more challenges, including the notorious Passo del Mortirolo. With only 31 seconds separating the top three general classification contenders and the top ten only five minutes apart, the coming days promise an exciting showdown, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to this year’s Giro d’Italia.