Christian Scaroni claimed victory in a thrilling and challenging stage of the Giro d’Italia on Tuesday, as the race for the overall lead tightened dramatically. The 16th stage, a grueling 203-kilometer route from Piazzola sul Brenta to San Valentino in northeastern Italy, featured four punishing climbs totaling nearly 4,900 meters of elevation gain. Compounding the difficulty was heavy rainfall, which caused numerous crashes and forced some of the race’s top contenders to abandon.
The stage unfolded in chaotic fashion from the start. Early on, Scaroni and his teammate Lorenzo Fortunato broke away on the final climb, a relentless 12.6-kilometer ascent averaging 8.3% gradient. The duo quickly built a significant gap over the peloton and maintained their advantage all the way to the finish, delivering a dominant one-two finish for the XDS Astana Team. Italian rider Giulio Pellizzari of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe completed the podium, making it an all-Italian top three.
The weather played a significant role in the day’s drama. The heavy rain led to slippery roads, causing several riders to lose control and crash. Among those affected were pre-race favorite Primoz Roglic, Welsh stage two winner Joshua Tarling, Egan Bernal, Carlos Verona, and Alessio Martinelli. Martinelli’s crash was particularly serious, requiring a dramatic rescue from a ravine. Fortunately, he was conscious and in stable condition when taken to the hospital, but his withdrawal was a tough blow to his team.
Primoz Roglic’s abandonment after a heavy crash sent shockwaves through the race, removing one of the biggest threats to the overall standings. Roglic had been seen as a top contender to win the Giro, and his exit reshaped the competition. Along with Roglic, Joshua Tarling also withdrew due to injuries sustained in the crashes, further thinning the field of favorites.
The overall race lead tightened considerably by the end of the stage. Isaac del Toro, the Mexican rider who had held the pink jersey for several stages, struggled in the final kilometers and lost time. With about 3 kilometers remaining, he could no longer match the pace of British rider Simon Yates and Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz. Yates, riding for Visma-Lease a Bike, pushed hard and closed the gap on del Toro, reducing the Mexican’s lead to just 26 seconds.
Carapaz, the 2019 Giro champion and 2021 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, put in an impressive performance on the last climb. Starting the day over two minutes behind del Toro in the general classification, he unleashed a powerful attack that saw him gain significant time. By the finish, Carapaz had slashed his deficit to 31 seconds, putting him firmly back in contention for the overall victory.
Speaking after the stage, Carapaz reflected on the importance of the day and his return to form. “At the end, we knew it was a really key stage here. I think I went well and demonstrated what I’ve worked for, everything it’s cost me to get here and be here once again,” he said. “In the last few years, I haven’t had the aptitude or shape to be here in this moment, but that was the motivation to push myself and be here to try again. We’re good to give a big battle and go for it.”
With only a few stages left in the Giro d’Italia, the fight for the pink jersey is more intense than ever. Del Toro, Yates, and Carapaz are all within striking distance, promising an exciting conclusion to one of cycling’s most prestigious Grand Tours. The final stages will test the riders’ endurance and strategy as they battle through the Italian mountains in pursuit of glory.
