Nicolas Prodhomme claimed a landmark victory on stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia, securing his first Grand Tour stage win by breaking away solo on a grueling mountain course. Meanwhile, Mexico’s Isaac del Toro, who wears the prestigious pink jersey as the race leader, finished second on the day, strengthening his grip on the overall lead with just two stages remaining.
The penultimate mountain stage stretched 166 kilometers from Biella to Champoluc and featured five categorized climbs, with an elevation gain approaching 5,000 meters. It was a brutal test of endurance and climbing prowess, perfectly suited for daring attacks and bold moves.
Prodhomme, riding for the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team, made his decisive move on the fourth climb. At 28 years old, the Frenchman had been patiently awaiting a breakthrough at a Grand Tour level and seized his opportunity with more than seven kilometers left to the summit. He quickly distanced himself from fellow escapees Carlos Verona and Antonio Tiberi, as well as the group containing the pink jersey contenders. Riding alone through the alpine terrain, Prodhomme maintained a strong pace, and by the time he crossed the finish line at Champoluc, he had a winning margin of nearly a minute.
“I’ve worked a lot for this Giro d’Italia,” Prodhomme said after the stage. “I wasn’t aiming to compete for the general classification; my goal was to win a stage. I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment. I recently won my first race three weeks ago at the Tour of the Alps, but to win a stage at the Giro d’Italia is something special. It’s a beautiful day.”
The victory was a milestone not only for Prodhomme personally but also for French cycling, as he became the first French rider to win a Giro stage in 2025. His tactical patience and ability to assess when to take risks were evident in his performance. Prodhomme admitted that he initially struggled on the early climbs, with stiff legs making it hard to respond to attacks. But as the stage progressed, he found his rhythm and realized he needed to push hard to make the breakaway succeed.
“On the Col de Joux climb, I knew I had to take risks, otherwise the break wouldn’t make it,” he explained. “Before today, I had two top-five finishes but usually don’t take many risks. Today I decided to go all in for the win.”
Behind Prodhomme, the general classification battle intensified. Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz launched an attack with just under seven kilometers remaining in an effort to chip away at del Toro’s lead. However, del Toro, who is riding for UAE Team Emirates, expertly matched Carapaz’s move, staying firmly on his wheel and leaving Simon Yates behind in third place.
The Mexican rider’s ability to respond to such a challenge underscored his resilience and determination. In the sprint to the line, del Toro outsprinted Carapaz, finishing second on the stage and extending his overall lead. After today’s efforts, del Toro now holds a 43-second advantage over Carapaz, while Yates is a further 38 seconds back, sitting 1 minute and 21 seconds behind in third place.
Del Toro expressed his pride and amazement at the position he finds himself in as he defends the iconic pink jersey. “I had the legs to stay with Richard, but I can’t afford to take more risks. Today was incredible,” he said. “Cycling is starting to be noticed back home, and people are beginning to understand how hard this sport really is. It’s incredible to be the one representing my country.”
With two stages left, including one more mountainous day and a final time trial, the battle for the Giro title remains intense. Del Toro’s performance today showed he is capable of withstanding attacks from his rivals and has the tactical acumen to protect his lead. Meanwhile, Prodhomme’s breakthrough victory reminded everyone that on the toughest days, boldness and perseverance can lead to historic triumphs.
