In a stunning display of grit and strategy, Wout van Aert secured victory at the Giro d'Italia on the scenic gravel roads of Tuscany. This race featured five sectors of unpaved roads, challenging competitors and showcasing the picturesque landscapes. Van Aert's win represented his comeback from previous health hurdles and completed a prestigious trifecta of Grand Tour victories. Meanwhile, Isaac del Toro made history as the first Mexican to lead the Giro, and teammate Juan Ayuso gained crucial time on rival Primož RogliÄ. The stage concluded an intense first week, setting the stage for a demanding second week.
With five sectors and 29.5km of unpaved, beautiful white gravel roads to battle with, Giro organisers RCS and race director Mauro Vegni got exactly what they would have wanted when they designed the route from Gubbio to the Piazza del Campo.
He described it as perhaps "the most beautiful place to finish a bike race", with the incredible vistas throughout Tuscany and the ever-obsessed tifosi coming out in the same numbers they do every March to offer support that few other races can replicate.
Del Toro claiming the race lead, and his teammate Juan Ayuso also gaining time on main rival Primož RogliÄ (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), as the Slovenian, like several others on Sunday, fell victim to the gravel roads with a crash and puncture.
Siena provided the perfect closure to the first week proper of this year's Giro, setting things up for a tricky second week and brutally tough third week, where the fight for the maglia rosa will enter its final phase.
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