Del Toro and Ayuso take bonus seconds to extend advantage over rivals

 

 

UAE Team Emirates - XRG's rising star Isaac Del Toro delivered another confident performance at the Giro d'Italia, securing third place on today's stage and successfully defending the maglia rosa for a fourth consecutive day. The 20-year-old extended his overall lead in the general classification with a composed and tactical ride through the final kilometres, which concluded in Vicenza.

 

Del Toro's podium finish came after a tense day of racing that saw several attacks and tactics at play from rival teams.

 

Juan Ayuso also managed to clinch extra seconds in the GC battle at the intermediate time bonus, reinforcing UAE's place at the head of the race.

 

Del Toro : 'I didn't have the sprint in the legs today. Mads and Wout came really fast and I tried to follow but I didn't have the legs, so Chapeau to them.

 

The plan today was to stay calm, follow the key rivals, and defend the jersey—and we executed that perfectly,I had decent legs, but also importantly, I had great support from my teammates. It's a special feeling to wear this jersey, and we'll keep fighting every day to honor it in the team.

 

With this result, Del Toro not only extends his advantage in the maglia rosa, but also continues to gain valuable experience is his young and blossoming career. His lead in the GC now stands at 38' ahead of his teammate Juan Ayuso, and crucially 1'18' ahead of third place Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain-Victorious) with several key mountain stages still to come.