Mads Pedersen Claims Fourth Stage Victory at Giro d'Italia as Isaac Del Toro Extends Overall Lead
In an exhilarating display of endurance and strategy, Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek Cycling Team surged to victory in the sprint finish of Stage 13 at the Giro d'Italia, held on a challenging 180-kilometer route from Rovigo to Vicenza
The Danish cyclist held off a fierce challenge from Wout van Aert to secure his fourth stage win of this year's prestigious race, while Isaac del Toro of UAE Team Emirates further solidified his lead in the general classification.
Pedersen's triumph was marked by a powerful uphill sprint that showcased his grit and determination. "I went a bit earlier than I really wanted to but on such a hard uphill final like this sometimes it's OK to go early because everyone has burning legs the last 100 meters," Pedersen explained after crossing the finish line. "I'm just happy with this one and adding another 50 points to the 'ciclomino' [sprint] jersey so let's see how it goes."
With this victory, Pedersen inches closer to the six stage wins achieved by Tadej Pogacar in 2024, as he continues to establish himself as a formidable competitor in this year's Giro d'Italia.
Meanwhile, Isaac del Toro's impressive performance not only earned him a four-second time bonus for finishing third but also added to his earlier two-second gain from the intermediate sprint. The Mexican rider now boasts a 38-second lead over his teammate Juan Ayuso in the general classification, with Italy's Antonio Tiberi trailing by another 40 seconds in third place. Britain's Simon Yates, who is seeking his first Grand Tour victory since the 2018 Vuelta a Espana, currently sits in fourth place.
As the Giro d'Italia progresses, the anticipation builds for the upcoming 14th stage, which promises to be a thrilling 195-kilometer ride from Treviso to Nova Gorica, crossing the border into Slovenia. Cyclists will face a largely flat terrain, setting the stage for potential strategic moves and sprint finishes.