“Del Toro has some explaining to do” - Trouble in UAE Team Emirates paradise as Del Toro shines whilst Ayuso struggles

Stage 9 of the Giro d’Italia delivered the most dramatic and captivating action of the race so far, as the peloton tackled the iconic gravel roads of Tuscany. Featuring several Strade Bianche sectors and a stunning finish in Siena’s historic Piazza del Campo, the stage lived up to its billing, and then some.

Wout van Aert emerged victorious at the end of a chaotic day, claiming the stage win ahead of young Isaac del Toro, who arguably produced the most impressive ride. Del Toro lit up the gravel and climbs but ultimately finished second, a result that nonetheless saw him take over the maglia rosa. Del Toro led for much of the final part of the race, but just lacked the explosivity of Wout van Aert.

However, the sight of Del Toro in pink may cause tension within UAE Team Emirates – XRG. Juan Ayuso, previously the team’s best-placed rider, lost time on the final climb to Siena. With Tadej Pogacar not riding the Giro, leadership dynamics inside the team now seem increasingly uncertain.

Eurosport analyst Bobbie Traksel questioned Del Toro’s approach, suggesting he rode with one eye on pink rather than committing fully to the stage win.

“Del Toro has some explaining to do. He can do this to win a stage, but then not win and still get pink... I didn't have the feeling that he was happy, but then he should have raced differently. Ride all the climbs at full speed and take it easy the rest of the time, but he was secretly still busy with that pink,” said Traksel. “He could also have let the rest come back a minute, and then win the stage.”

“He won the Tour de l'Avenir. He is an enormous talent who was brought in for a lot of money, but that means nothing in three weeks. It can happen, but it could just as well not happen.”

Fellow analyst Thijs Zonneveld agreed, pointing to a key mistake made by Del Toro near the end, and believes he was disappointed with second.

“Not at all, he had a very stern face. But in the run-up to the finish in Siena he makes a mistake. If you want to win the stage, you should not continue with Van Aert on your wheel,” Zonneveld observed.

More broadly, Zonneveld believes the team’s leadership structure appears increasingly fragile without Pogacar to anchor it. This is not the first time this week analysts have questioned UAE without the world champion.

“Pogacar rides a lot of important races. If he is not there, then there is a battle who is the leader. Ayuso also has in his contract that he can ride a grand tour without Pogacar. Then there is also so much pressure. And at the same time Del Toro still thinks: yes, hello, I am in this position, I will also take my chance.”

“I hope they don't manage it, because that's fun for the viewers. Ayuso attacking Del Toro later? I see it happening more often than not. They have to manage to create a ranking. They have to talk about who will sacrifice themselves first. They have good domestiques, but Arrieta also went for a ride yesterday and McNulty and Adam Yates are also in the top 10.”

It wasn’t just team politics and tactics on show, the brutal terrain also caused chaos in the peloton. Both Tom Pidcock and Primoz Roglic crashed during the stage, a reminder of just how unpredictable gravel racing can be. But while Van Aert got the glory and Del Toro took the jersey, the story of Stage 9 may only just be beginning, with more fireworks likely still to come, both on and off the road.