Introduction
The 2025 Giro de Italia has become a tale of diplomacy and rivalry within the same team, with Isaac del Toro and Juan Ayuso forming the strongest duo for UAE Team Emirates – XRG.
Isaac del Toro: The Young Revelation
At 21, del Toro is the youngest rider to lead the Italian Grand Tour in this century and remains the top Latin American contender. He has maintained the Maglia Rosa through stages 9 and 10, following a strong time trial in stage 10.
Juan Ayuso: The Experienced Veteran
Ayuso, 22, brings more Grande Tour experience to the team. Known as ‘El Gallo,’ he has previously climbed the podium in the Vuelta a España, finished 4th the following year, and competed in the Tour de France. Del Toro, on the other hand, is participating in his second Grande, having won the Milano-Torino, the oldest classic race, marking a historic milestone for Mexican cycling.
Team Dynamics and Rivalry
The absence of Tadej Pogacar in the Giro has left the UAE Team’s leadership dynamics uncertain. Del Toro’s presence in Maglia Rosa might cause tension within the team, but his performance has been crucial for their chances of overall victory.
Key Events
- Etapa 10: Dan Hoole (Lidl-Trek) won the individual time trial, while Del Toro maintained the Maglia Rosa, finishing 6th. The wet conditions affected several contenders, including Egan Bernal, who dropped from 7th to 11th in the general classification.
- General Classification after Etapa 10: Isaac del Toro leads with Juan Ayuso in 2nd place, 25 seconds behind. Brandon McNulty and Adam Yates are also among the top 7 contenders for UAE Team.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: How is the relationship between Del Toro and Ayuso? A: Their relationship remains a mystery, with subtle rivalry for the Giro victory. They briefly spoke after the time trial, with Del Toro expressing ambition without revealing any tension.
- Q: What does Del Toro aim for in the Giro? A: Del Toro aims to maintain the Maglia Rosa for as long as possible, depending on his team’s strategy and the decisions of directors and managers.
- Q: How have similar rivalries played out in the past? A: Rivalries within teams have occurred in various races, such as the Tour de France in 1986 (Hinault vs. LeMond), 2012 (Wiggins vs. Froome), and 2018 (Landa vs. Quintana vs. Valverde). The Vuelta 2023 also saw a team rivalry between Sepp Kuss, Jonas Vingegaard, and Primoz Roglic in Jumbo-Visma.
As the Giro de Italia 2025 progresses into its second week, the UAE Team’s strong presence in the top 7 of the general classification highlights their potential for an overall victory, with del Toro and Ayuso’s dynamic playing a crucial role.
