Igor Arrieta goes close to breakthrough win on stage 8 of Giro d'Italia: "Now it’s back to work: supporting Juan Ayuso"

Spanish prospect Igor Arrieta delivered an eye-catching performance on Stage 14 of the 2025 Giro d’Italia, battling to an impressive fourth place after a punishing day in the mountains. The 22-year-old UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider was part of the decisive breakaway, ultimately finishing 1:22 behind stage winner Luke Plapp.

While Arrieta is primarily in Italy to support team leader Juan Ayuso, today he was given the freedom to ride for himself — and he made it count.

“I gave it everything,” Arrieta said after the stage. “In the end, I finished fourth, but it was such a hard day. The break just wouldn’t go. Eventually, the group split on a climb, nearly 20 of us got away, and from there, it was all about surviving.”

Interestingly, Arrieta’s presence in the move wasn’t part of UAE’s original plan. But when a large group finally broke clear, the team recognized the tactical advantage of having a man up the road.

“It wasn’t planned at all,” he explained. “But with a break that big, you had to stay alert in case a GC threat got in or the team needed someone up front later. That’s why I went — it was more instinctive than anything.”

Arrieta emphasized that the team’s approach was sound, even if his own role shifted mid-stage. “The idea was to stay near the front early on, just to be ready. If something happens behind, it’s always better to be ahead than chasing.”

Despite his personal result, Arrieta remains committed to his primary job: protecting Ayuso’s GC ambitions. “I’m really happy — this is my first Grand Tour, and to be up there today means a lot,” he said in conclusion. “But now it’s back to work: supporting Ayuso, defending when we need to, and attacking when the time is right.”