Due to various circumstances, but also strong effort, the leader of the Giro d'Italia is now 21-year-old Mexican Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates - XRG).
Del Toro's achievement is extraordinary – he is the first 21-year-old cyclist since Beppe Saronni in 1979 to hold the pink leader's jersey for so long. Damiano Cunego unexpectedly emerged and won the Giro in 2004 at just 22 years old. However, the youngest overall winner was Fausto Coppi, who won the Giro in 1940 at only 20 years of age.
Although he still underestimates his chances of winning overall, del Toro admitted that this could change if he is still in the pink jersey next Tuesday, after the big mountain stage to San Valentino near Trento.
Del Toro seems to be enjoying every moment of his time in the Maglia Rosa. He is in excellent form – sprinting for bonus seconds and defending his leadership position ahead of teammate and potential rival Juan Ayuso. Nevertheless, experts dare to doubt whether del Toro can maintain the lead until the end of the Giro.
"Why not?" the rider responded sincerely to journalists. "If others believe in me, but I don't believe in myself, then that's a problem. This is my dream and I'm working for it. Every day I tell myself that this is unbelievable. No one can tell you when you're ready to reach that point, but I believe in myself. I'm a new type here, so I have to learn quickly and do things better. Maybe I'm not the favorite on paper, so I have to be smart."
The Giro ends next Sunday, and according to del Toro, the key will be Tuesday's stage ending with a mountain finish. In any case, UAE Team Emirates - XRG is in an advantageous position, as teammate Juan Ayuso follows del Toro by 38 seconds. However, the overall standings are tight, with the top 13 riders within 3 minutes.
Extending his lead in pink with his mother Dora watching on 🥹🫂 #GirodItalia
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) May 23, 2025
El Torito, @ISAACDELTOROx1, is enjoying the longest spell in the Maglia Rosa by any 21-year-old since Giuseppe Saronni in 1979 🐂🩷 #WeAreUAE pic.twitter.com/4rlN1ewugn
👋 Torito in pink #GirodItalia#WeAreUAE pic.twitter.com/WKt3Y1ZefK
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) May 23, 2025
