Simon Yates has sealed a spectacular victory at the 2025 Giro d’Italia, a moment that feels like a personal and professional redemption seven years after a crushing collapse on the same mountain that defined his earlier heartbreak. Riding for Visma-Lease a Bike, Yates delivered a stunning final mountain stage performance to overcome race leader Isaac del Toro and podium contender Richard Carapaz, taking a commanding lead of nearly four minutes overall.
The final climb to Colle delle Finestre, the infamous gravel ascent that had shattered Yates’s hopes back in 2018, was the scene of his remarkable comeback. That year, Yates had been dominant in the race until the brutal Finestre climb saw him crack completely, losing almost 40 minutes and his grip on victory. The memory of that moment lingered, casting a shadow over his career despite winning the Vuelta a España later that year. But this Giro, with the route returning to the Finestre, Yates was determined to rewrite history.
Starting the Giro modestly—21st after the opening stage Yates rode cautiously and strategically, staying within striking distance rather than forcing the pace early. His gradual rise through the standings culminated in a decisive, aggressive attack on the Finestre climb during the penultimate mountain stage, a move that shifted the race dynamics entirely. With the support of his teammate Wout van Aert, Yates not only made up his deficit but surged ahead to a near four-minute lead by the stage’s end.
The race dynamics between his rivals worked to his advantage. Del Toro, a promising 21-year-old on his Giro debut, and Carapaz, a former winner, found themselves locked in a tense tactical battle. Their failure to collaborate or mount a united chase allowed Yates to capitalize and build his decisive lead. The two contenders’ strategic hesitation whether due to rivalry or miscalculation proved costly. Yates’s relentless attacks forced them into a corner, and neither was able to respond effectively.
Yates’s victory marks him as the third British rider to win the Giro, joining the ranks of Chris Froome, who triumphed in 2018, and Tao Geoghegan Hart, the 2020 winner. Interestingly, all three secured their victories with critical performances in the mountainous Piedmont region, underscoring the importance of climbing prowess and tactical acumen in this Grand Tour.
The final stage itself was a celebration for Visma-Lease a Bike, with teammate Olav Kooij winning the sprint finish ahead of Australia’s Kaden Groves. For Yates, the moment was deeply emotional; after crossing the finish line, he collapsed into tears, a rare display of vulnerability from a rider known for his stoicism. The long-awaited triumph was not just a race victory but a personal catharsis, a moment to close a painful chapter and prove his resilience.
Reflecting on his journey, Yates acknowledged that the 2018 collapse had haunted him but also motivated him to come back stronger. The presence of the Finestre climb in this year’s race was a powerful draw, offering a chance for redemption and to demonstrate his true strength and determination. His victory was not simply the result of tactical opportunities or the errors of his rivals but also his willingness to gamble everything on his stamina and skill in the mountains.
Yates’s transformation from the despair of 2018 to Giro champion in 2025 is one of the sport’s most compelling stories. It highlights the mental and physical challenges of Grand Tour racing and the deep personal resolve required to overcome past failures. The sight of the rider being lifted aloft by his teammates, greeted by the Pope in Rome, and weeping with relief and joy, captures the romance and drama that cycling’s grandest races uniquely provide.
For Isaac del Toro, this experience will serve as a valuable lesson and a stepping stone for future challenges, while Carapaz adds another strong Grand Tour podium finish to his already impressive palmarès. But for Simon Yates, the 2025 Giro d’Italia represents much more than a win—it is the ultimate redemption and a defining moment in a career that refused to be broken by past pain.
