Ayuso currently sits in second place, now 38 seconds behind. This increase was modest, given that he gained six seconds by overtaking Del Toro during the intermediate sprint. “We agreed that Isaac would primarily target the bonus seconds. Juan has also been a solid teammate. However, he found himself in a position to earn four seconds,” explained sports director Joxean Matxin.
While there may be speculation about Ayuso’s sprint to secure seconds, Del Toro considers his teammate’s actions understandable. “I jumped into my sprint too early, thinking we would only be sprinting uphill. But in the end, the course leveled out, which allowed others to benefit from the slipstream. Ayuso managed to pass me, but finishing third was still a positive outcome. As long as the team accrues the seconds,” he stated.
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UAE Team Emirates-XRG in a unique position with two potential Giro champions
The dynamic between Del Toro and Ayuso has become a focal point of conversation. While UAE maintains that this is an ideal circumstance, it is notable that they might be competing with two potential winners for the first time. Recent Grand Tours heavily featured Tadej Pogacar, and in his absence, several riders have been on paper contenders, but mostly for podium positions.
“Our mission is always to aim for victory with all our top riders, not limited to Grand Tours,” Matxin remarked. “We entered this Giro with Juan and Adam Yates designated as leaders, but a tactical shift during stage 9 to Siena has also introduced Del Toro as a leading contender. Additionally, earlier, we could have included Brandon McNulty and Jay Vine in that conversation. With Isaac in the pink jersey now, we fully recognize his role as the leader.”
Is managing this scenario with two potential winners instead of merely two leaders proving challenging? Matxin laughs heartily. “It’s not a challenge at all! The real difficulty arises when you find yourself at the back. Being one and two in a Grand Tour with a week remaining is an enviable position. We’re not applying any pressure on Isaac; rather, we want to instill confidence. No stress—enjoy the moment and keep pushing forward daily.”
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Ayuso (left) and Del Toro (right)
Del Toro must adapt quickly in the pursuit of his ambitions
Throughout Grand Tours, we’ve witnessed unexpected leaders emerge, often reverting to established order in the final week. While some might not take Del Toro seriously as an overall winner just yet, he holds steadfast belief in himself. “I’ve always envisioned what I’m currently experiencing. No one can determine when one is ready for such a challenge, but I want to believe I can do it. Why not? If I don’t believe in myself, who will? Little Isaac, who used to watch from the TV, would be proud of my journey.”
One concern against Del Toro maintaining the pink jersey is the energy he has exerted for bonus seconds throughout the Giro. “To be honest, I don’t think I’m expending excessive energy. Everyone is riding at peak effort during such moments; that’s what I expect and hope for,” he chuckled. “These press obligations drain me more than the race itself, but everyone experiences the same level of effort during competition.”
With the third week underway, the excitement for an intense showdown grows. Ten riders still remain in contention for the Giro title, a fact Del Toro acknowledges. “At this stage, you could mention anyone among the top contenders, as each has approached the race uniquely. The riders in the top 20 are formidable, many with prior victories, podium finishes, or top 10 experiences in Grand Tours. They understand the process, while I’m still the newcomer racing to catch on quickly. I’m not the statistical favorite, so I’ll need to strategize wisely.”