Van Aert silences critics with victorious on grueling Giro d'Italia Stage 9
Stage 9 of the 2025 Giro d'Italia lived up to its billing as a mini-Strade Bianche, delivering thrilling racing across the white gravel roads of Tuscany. In a dramatic finale in Siena, Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) emerged victorious after a captivating battle with young Isaac Del Toro (UAE Emirates).
The 181km stage from Gubbio to Siena featured five sectors of the famous sterrati, totaling around 30km of gravel. These dusty, challenging sections caused significant splits and crashes in the peloton, shaking up the general classification.
Early Action and GC Drama
The stage ignited early with a breakaway, but the main action unfolded on the gravel sectors. Several crashes impacted GC contenders, most notably Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), who lost significant time after being caught behind a fall. This incident will undoubtedly have implications for his overall ambitions.
As the race hit the final gravel sectors, a select group formed at the front, including Van Aert, Del Toro, Egan Bernal (INEOS Grenadiers), and Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek). Del Toro, showing remarkable strength, pushed the pace and looked like he might ride away to victory.
The Final Showdown in Siena
The final kilometers led the riders into the historic city of Siena, culminating in the steep, cobbled climb to the Piazza del Campo. Del Toro led onto the Via Santa Caterina, but the experienced Van Aert patiently stalked him, making his move just before the summit.
Van Aert used his superior positioning and tactical nous on the tight, winding descent to the Piazza del Campo, holding off a frustrated Del Toro to claim the stage win. It was a significant victory for the Belgian, marking his first of the 2025 season.
Van Aert's 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. After a crash at the Vuelta a Espana in 2024 and a difficult spring campaign, he entered the Giro d'Italia with something to prove. Prior to Stage 9, his spring season included fourth-place finishes in the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and Amstel Gold. Some critics felt he was not performing at his best.
His emotional victory on Stage 9, a challenging stage featuring gravel sectors and finishing in Siena, is seen as a redemption. TNT Sports called it a "victory of redemption," noting his last win was at the Vuelta in September 2024, before a knee injury sidelined him. CyclingUpToDate highlights the stage win's significance, considering his illness and doubts before the stage. His win is his first in the Giro d'Italia, completing his set of Grand Tour stage wins.
Del Toro Takes Pink
Despite missing out on the stage victory, the young Mexican rider Isaac Del Toro had a day to remember. His strong performance on the gravel and his second-place finish were enough to propel him into the coveted maglia rosa, the pink jersey of the overall race leader. This is a landmark moment for the talented UAE Emirates rider.
What it Means for the GC
The Strade Bianche stage has certainly reshuffled the general classification. Del Toro now leads, with his teammate Juan Ayuso sitting in second place. Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) rounds out the provisional podium. Roglič's time loss means he now has a significant deficit to overcome.
Stage 9 Top 5
- Wout van Aert (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike
- Isaac Del Toro (Mex) UAE Emirates
- Giulio Ciccone (Ita) Lidl-Trek (+0:58)
- Richard Carapaz (Ecu) EF Education-EasyPost (+1:00)
- Simon Yates (GBr) Visma | Lease a Bike (+1:00)
Overall Standings After Stage 9
- Isaac Del Toro (Mex) UAE Emirates
- Juan Ayuso (Spa) UAE Emirates (+1:07)
- Antonio Tiberi (Ita) Bahrain Victorious (+1:13)
- Simon Yates (GBr) Visma | Lease a Bike (+1:59)
- Egan Bernal (Col) INEOS Grenadiers (+2:01)