As UAE Team Emirates-XRG holds the top two GC spots heading into the second rest day, leadership decisions loom large.
Déjà Vu from the Movistar Days?
Remember 2019? Richard Carapaz stunned the cycling world by seizing the maglia rosa, leaving his Spanish teammate Mikel Landa behind in fourth. That was peak drama for Movistar, a team notorious back then for internal leadership tensions. Their trio — Landa, Quintana, and Valverde — often cannibalized each other’s chances. Carapaz, however, slipped through the cracks and delivered Ecuador its first Grand Tour triumph.
Fast forward to 2025. UAE Team Emirates-XRG, modern cycling’s Galácticos, now faces a similar conundrum — this time with Juan Ayuso and Isaac Del Toro.
As the peloton enjoys its second rest day, UAE finds itself in a luxurious yet precarious position. Del Toro leads the GC after his sensational ride on stage 9 — second behind Wout van Aert, but strong enough to claim the leader’s jersey with a 1:13 gap over Ayuso.
But just two stages prior, Ayuso delivered his own statement of intent, clinching a summit victory in Tagliacozzo — his first Grand Tour stage win. Right behind him? Isaac Del Toro.
Right now, they appear to be the two strongest riders in the Giro. For UAE, that’s a champagne problem — but also one that demands careful management. What happens if one falters in the Dolomites? Does the other wait? Or press on for pink?
Youth, Hunger, and Hierarchy
Ayuso, 22, has been the heir-apparent at UAE, biding his time behind Pogačar and Almeida. His Vuelta podium in 2022 gave us a glimpse of his pedigree. Now, he wants more — the leadership, the responsibility, and the maglia rosa.
But here comes Del Toro. Just 21, he’s raw, fearless, and rapidly emerging as a Grand Tour threat. They not only lead the GC but also sit 1-2 in the young rider classification.
On any other team, they’d be solo leaders. But at UAE in 2025? They’re part of a star-studded lineup that includes podium-caliber riders like Adam Yates and Brandon McNulty — both lurking in eighth and ninth, just a minute behind Ayuso.
History has a way of repeating itself. Movistar’s internal battles cost them dearly. Carapaz, Quintana, and Landa all left in search of solo status. UAE will want to avoid similar fallout. Leadership clarity is essential — not just to win this Giro, but to retain and nurture generational talent.
With Primož Roglič struggling after a disastrous strade bianche stage, aggression will define the final week. UAE’s decisions could shape more than this Giro — they might set the trajectory for Ayuso and Del Toro’s careers for years to come.
This is no ordinary Giro. It’s a power struggle between two prodigies in pink. The stakes? A Grand Tour title and the future pecking order at UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Buckle up — the race is far from over, and the road will soon demand an answer.
Who would you back for pink: Ayuso or Del Toro? Let us know on our social media and follow our coverage for daily updates and tactical breakdowns from the Giro d’Italia 2025.