Alex MacQuoid
Isaac del Toro withstands aggressive moves from Bernal, Yates, and Carapaz as UAE prepares for a volatile final week.
Stage 15 of the Giro d’Italia 2025 delivered more than just altitude — it provided clarity. UAE Team Emirates-XRG, guardians of the maglia rosa, didn’t need to engineer Primož Roglič’s collapse; other squads gladly did it for them. With Ineos Grenadiers and EF Education-EasyPost setting a searing pace, Roglič’s Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe support wilted, and the Slovenian was left exposed, vulnerable, and hemorrhaging time.
As the scent of opportunity filled the air, Visma-Lease a Bike, Israel-Premier Tech, Movistar, and Bahrain-Victorious joined the offensive in the final 30km. Their goal? Cut deeper into Roglič’s hopes, yes — but ultimately to destabilize UAE’s dual threat of Juan Ayuso and the maglia rosa, Isaac del Toro.
UAE, sitting on dual GC threats, had every reason to stay conservative on the final climb to Dori. But that calm today may foreshadow chaos tomorrow. Richard Carapaz (EF), Simon Yates (Visma), and Egan Bernal (Ineos) showed their claws, and all three know how to convert aggression into Grand Tour wins.
Del Toro, just 21, is proving he has the legs and the mindset to fend off the wolves. Every attack met with poise. Every surge met with a response. He might be the youngest on the podium, but he’s quickly becoming the most composed. Entering the final rest day, he’s more than a contender — he’s the rider to beat.
Unfinished Business with Roglič
If UAE truly wanted to end Roglič’s campaign, they could have launched a full-blown assault with all domestiques pacing hard after his drop. Instead, they let others do the work, preserving energy, but missing a chance to deliver the knockout blow. Roglič, despite being on the ropes, limited his losses to 1:30. The gap is now 3:53 — significant, but survivable for a veteran of his caliber.
That restraint might signal caution — or a potential crack. UAE didn’t go all in. Was it a tactical choice? Or a reflection of concern over Ayuso’s condition?
Ayuso: The Elephant on the Podium
Ayuso, currently third on GC, hasn’t looked his usual self. Rumors of a lingering knee issue persist, and Del Toro often seems to be doing the heavy lifting — even covering attacks one would expect Ayuso to mark. Is the young Mexican riding in support? Or is he the true captain?
This dual-leader strategy only works if both riders pose credible threats. Otherwise, rivals will isolate Del Toro and pick apart UAE’s structure. As it stands, UAE might soon face a tough decision: support their best-performing rider unconditionally or risk losing tactical coherence in the high mountains ahead.
The Final Week: A Shark Tank
The Giro is far from over. While Roglič fades, Carapaz, Bernal, and Yates have sensed blood. Each a Grand Tour champion. Each with a team ready to launch wave after wave of attacks. The high Alps will be their hunting ground. For UAE, it’s no longer about offense — it’s survival, strategy, and unwavering execution.
Del Toro may be the maglia rosa, but his rivals aren’t waiting for an invitation. UAE may have withstood the first assault, but the waters are teeming. And in a Giro this open, any hesitation could prove fatal.
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