Del Toro maintains Giro d’Italia lead as Canada’s Gee stays in combine

CESANO MADERNO, Italy — Overall chief Isaac Del Toro had a possibility to take it slightly simple all through the 18th level of the Giro d’Italia on Thursday, which was once gained via German rider Nico Denz with a solo breakaway.

Del Toro, the primary Mexican rider to put on the red jersey, completed safely in the primary pack following the 144-kilometre course from Morbegno to Cesano Maderno, which featured 3 minor climbs early on prior to a slightly flat finale.

It might be a lot more difficult for the 21-year-old Del Toro the following two days, with grueling back-to-back mountain levels prior to the most commonly ceremonial end in Rome on Sunday.

“I don’t know what the situation will be. I cannot predict the future,” Del Toro mentioned. “But in fact, if I will be able to be with the GC (basic classification) riders, and kind of the whole thing in keep an eye on for the workforce, I will be able to be at liberty sufficient.

“I hope to be mentally ready,” Del Toro added.

For now, Del Toro maintained his good thing about 41 seconds forward of 2019 champion Richard Carapaz and 51 seconds forward of British rider Simon Yates.

Canada’s Derek Gee sits fourth, 1:57 again of Del Toro.

Juan Ayuso, Del Toro’s UAE Emirates teammate, deserted the race early on within the level after suffering for days. Considered a pre-race favorite, Ayuso stood 26th, just about 50 mins at the back of Del Toro, and was once fighting via knee ache and a bee sting.

“Obviously this is not how I wanted my Giro to end but some things are out of my control,” Ayuso mentioned in a workforce remark. “I wish the guys all the best and hope Isaac can keep pink all the way to Rome.”

It was once the 3rd victory on the Giro in Denz’s occupation, having additionally gained two levels in 2023.

The subsequent two levels are each rated with 5 stars for max issue.

Stage 19 on Friday is a 166-kilometre leg from Biella to Champoluc that includes 5 climbs prior to a brief descent into the end.

Then Saturday’s penultimate level is a 205-kilometre leg from Verres to Sestriere that includes the beyond-category climb on a gravel highway to Colle delle Finestre — the place Chris Froome’s audacious assault in 2018 earned him the name.

–with recordsdata from Sportsnet