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The 2024 Giro d’Italia’s penultimate stage was a dramatic and defining moment in the race, with Simon Yates of Visma-Lease a Bike delivering a masterful performance to secure the overall victory. Yates became the third British rider to win the Giro, joining Chris Froome (2018) and Tao Geoghegan Hart (2020) in the history books. However, the stage will also be remembered for the tactical missteps of Isaac del Toro, which ultimately cost the young Mexican rider the maglia rosa.
### The Stage and Yates’ Triumph
Stage 20 featured the grueling Colle delle Finestre, followed by a final climb to Sestrière. Yates, who started the day in third place overall, executed a bold solo attack with 13 kilometers remaining on the Finestre. His move caught the attention of race leader del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and second-placed Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), but neither rider effectively responded. Yates extended his lead as the two behind him engaged in a tactical stalemate, effectively gifting him the stage win and the overall race lead. Yates finished the stage with a commanding advantage, taking the maglia rosa by 3:56 over del Toro, with Carapaz a further 47 seconds back.
### Del Toro’s Tactical Misstep
Del Toro’s failure to collaborate with Carapaz in chasing Yates was widely criticized. The 21-year-old, in only his second season as a World Tour rider and his second Grand Tour, appeared to focus solely on marking Carapaz, believing that finishing ahead of the Ecuadorian would secure him the overall victory. However, this shortsightedness allowed Yates to build an unassailable lead. Del Toro’s inexperience and lack of tactical awareness were evident, as he failed to recognize the threat posed by Yates until it was too late.
### The Role of UAE Team Emirates-XRG
Del Toro’s sports director, Fabio Baldato, defended the young rider, arguing that del Toro lacked the legs or confidence to match Yates’ pace. Baldato explained that the team had underestimated Yates’ strength and that the British rider’s performance was exceptional. However, critics pointed out that del Toro’s management should have provided better guidance, especially given his inexperience at this level. Baldato acknowledged that the team had informed del Toro of Yates’ teammate Wout van Aert’s presence in the breakaway, but del Toro focused solely on Carapaz, ultimately leading to his downfall.
### The Carapaz Factor
Carapaz, a seasoned Grand Tour contender, played a significant role in the stage’s drama. He launched multiple attacks on the Finestre, briefly distancing del Toro and Yates before the Mexican rider clawed his way back. However, once Yates made his decisive move, Carapaz refused to cooperate with del Toro in the chase, as he felt del Toro had not contributed earlier. This mutual suspicion and lack of collaboration between the two riders allowed Yates to extend his lead and secure the overall victory.
### Yates’ Strategy and Team Support
Yates’ victory was a testament to his tactical acumen and the support of his team. His teammate Wout van Aert, who was in the early breakaway, played a crucial role by dropping back to assist Yates on the valley road leading to the final climb. Van Aert’s efforts gave Yates a much-needed respite, enabling him to maintain his lead on the ascent to Sestrière. This teamwork highlighted the importance of a well-coordinated strategy in Grand Tour racing.
### Post-Stage Reactions
Del Toro remained philosophical about his second-place finish, expressing pride in his performance and vowing to return to the Giro in the future. He defended his decision to mark Carapaz, arguing that collaborating with the Ecuadorian would have left him vulnerable to an attack. Carapaz, meanwhile, was visibly disappointed but took solace in his third-place finish, which he viewed as a reward for his hard work. He criticized del Toro’s tactics, suggesting that the Mexican rider’s inexperience cost him the race.
### Baldato’s Perspective
Baldato emphasized that del Toro’s focus was on Carapaz, as the team believed the Ecuadorian would be the primary threat. He admitted that they underestimated Yates’ strength and praised the British rider’s exceptional performance. Baldato acknowledged that del Toro’s decision to save energy for the final climb backfired, as he and Carapaz ended up arguing rather than working together. He summed up the situation with an Italian proverb: “When two people argue, someone else wins.”
### Conclusion
Simon Yates’ victory in the 2024 Giro d’Italia was a combination of tactical brilliance, teamwork, and individual strength. His ability to exploit the tension between del Toro and Carapaz on the Colle delle Finestre was key to his success. Meanwhile, del Toro’s inexperience and tactical missteps served as a reminder of the complexities of Grand Tour racing. As he gains more experience, del Toro will likely become a formidable contender, but for now, the 2024 Giro will be remembered as a race where Yates outsmarted his rivals and claimed a well-deserved victory.
