Simon Yates powers up the Finestre to take overall lead at Giro d'Italia

In a thrilling display of endurance and strategy, Simon Yates of Visma-Lease a Bike surged into the overall lead of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday, captivating cycling fans worldwide

Yates’ remarkable performance on the penultimate stage saw him erase the lead of overall leader Isaac Del Toro, securing the coveted pink jersey in a dramatic showdown that will be remembered for years to come.

The 205-kilometer stage from Verres to Sestriere featured a grueling ascent, with riders tackling a staggering 4,500 meters of altitude gain. It was a day marked by high stakes, as both Yates and fellow competitor Richard Carapaz knew that bold moves were essential to wrest the pink jersey from Del Toro, who had an 81-second lead at the start of the stage.

Australian rider Chris Harper of Jayco-AlUla claimed victory for the stage, riding solo to the finish line. However, the spotlight was firmly on Yates, who finished third but executed a series of relentless attacks that flipped the general classification battle on its head. As the race unfolded, Yates’ determination and tactical prowess emerged as the defining factors in his ascent to the top.

In a poignant twist of fate, Yates redeemed himself on the Colle delle Finestre climb, a site of past heartbreak. In 2018, he witnessed his dreams of Giro glory slip away on this very climb, as Chris Froome's decisive attack left him trailing. This time, however, Yates seized the moment, demonstrating resilience and fortitude as he rallied to take the lead. Despite the arrival of Wout van Aert, who provided crucial support, Del Toro was unable to respond to Yates’ onslaught and ultimately finished nearly four minutes behind.

Yates turned that 81-second deficit into a lead of 3:56 over del Toro. Yates delivered the best climbing performance of his career on Finestre with 6.20 ?W/kg for 59:23 min, beating Torres’ record by 1 minute and 22 seconds. Del Toro and Carapaz lost 1:38 min to Yates on the climb. Carapaz pushed 5.99 ?W/kg, while Del Toro, with more drafting, did 5.95 ?W/kg. Yates was 4:56 min faster than Froome in 2018 and much faster than his own time when he cracked on Finestre while defending his lead.

With Yates now in possession of the pink jersey, all eyes will be on him as he heads into the final stage of the Giro d'Italia. Fans and experts alike are eager to see if he can maintain his lead and secure his first overall victory in this prestigious race.

Sunday’s 21st and final stage — a flat, 89-mile ride around Vatican City and Rome — is not expected to shake up the top of the overall standings.

VIDEO: 2025 Giro d'Italia Stage 20 Highlights

2025 Giro d'Italia Stage 20 Reactions

2025 Giro d'Italia GC after Stage 20 

1  YATES Simon Team Visma | Lease a Bike 79:18:42
2  DEL TORO Isaac UAE Team Emirates - XRG 3:56
3  CARAPAZ Richard EF Education - EasyPost 4:43
4  GEE Derek Israel - Premier Tech 6:23
5  CARUSO Damiano Bahrain - Victorious 7:32
6  PELLIZZARI Giulio Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe 9:28
7  BERNAL Egan INEOS Grenadiers 12:42
8  RUBIO Einer Movistar Team 13:05
9  MCNULTY Brandon UAE Team Emirates - XRG 13:36
10  STORER Michael Tudor Pro Cycling Team 14:27