“I can’t put my finger on it” – Michael Boogerd left with mixed feelings despite thrilling Giro d’Italia

The 2025 Giro d’Italia came to a dramatic close on Sunday, as Simon Yates sealed victory in Rome and finally picked up the Maglia rosa he should have won in 2018. Yates took the pink jersey in a stunning Stage 20 performance, outmanoeuvring Isaac Del Toro and Richard Carapaz in a thrilling tactical finale.

With the dominant trio of Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel absent, this year’s Giro offered an open and unpredictable battle, something many fans have hailed as the most exciting Grand Tour in years. But on the Eurosport Kop over Kop podcast, former Dutch pro Michael Boogerd admitted he was left with a “strange taste” at the end of the race.

“I really got the feeling that Simon Yates would have won the Giro if he had ridden backwards,” Boogerd said. “I can't put my finger on it, but I almost had the idea that Del Toro or Carapaz shouldn't have won the Giro. I think it's weird.”

Boogerd’s comment highlighted the odd dynamic of the final mountain stage, where the two main rivals appeared locked in a tactical standoff while Yates soared ahead to victory.

However, co-host Jeroen Vanbelleghem pushed back against Boogerd’s assessment, praising the tactical drama on the decisive climb.

“What Boogerd says about that strange aftertaste, I could really enjoy that,” Vanbelleghem said. “This is tactics, right? On a climb like this, it all comes together. I really enjoyed it for two hours.”

Boogerd was quick to credit Lidl–Trek for their contributions to the race, particularly Daan Hoole’s surprising performance against the clock.

“I thought Lidl–Trek was really cool, especially Daan Hoole's time trial,” he said. “I can totally imagine it, such a young rider suddenly taking on the best time trialist in the world. That must be an incredible feeling.”

He also praised the Dutch impact on the race, with stage wins for Olav Kooij, Daan Hoole, and Casper van Uden: “For the Netherlands it was a good Giro anyway,” Boogerd concluded. “We won four stages with Kooij, Hoole and Van Uden, so we didn't ride like idiots. It was a nice Giro.”