Tadej Pogacar has once again bowed to Isaac del Toro after his incredible victory in stage 17 of the Giro d'Italia 2025. After 17 stages, it looks like the maglia rosa is once again going the way of UAE.
After having a hard time on Tuesday's stage 16 against the experienced leaders of the general classification, including Richard Carapaz and Simon Yates, the brave Mexican came out on top in a day that he knew was good for his characteristics. With an attack uphill that only Carapaz could follow, and with another downhill where he surged clear, he ended up raising his arms and extending his advantage with the maglia rosa.
Afterwards, Pogacar posted two photos on his Instagram account in which Del Toro could be seen arriving at the finish line adding two comments: "Very proud" (with a teary face next to it) and "Aura":
Pogacar's comments to Del Toro;
It is clear that Tadej Pogacar has a special affection for Isaac del Toro. The Slovenian also congratulated Juan Ayuso when he won the stage earlier in the Giro, but not with the affection he does with the Mexican rider who has been a supporter for him in several classics, and who has clearly earned his respect completely.
We can only imagine how happy Pogacar will be if Del Toro manages to arrive in Rome in the maglia rosa. There's a long way to go, better not to speculate....
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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