Stage 15 Overview: Fiume Veneto → Asiago (219 km)

Stage 15 was a grueling 219 km mountainous route from Fiume Veneto to Asiago, featuring significant climbs including the iconic Monte Grappa and the Passo Dori. The stage was anticipated to be a decisive one for general classification contenders, with challenging ascents and a hilly final 20 kilometers leading into Asiago.

Stage 15 Results

Carlos Verona (Lidl–Trek) – 5h 34' 12"
Florian Stork (Team DSM–Firmenich) – +22"
Christian Scaroni (Astana Qazaqstan Team) – same time
Romain Bardet (Team dsm–firmenich)
Nicolas Prodhomme (AG2R Citroën Team)
Filippo Zana (Team Jayco–AlUla)
Gianmarco Garofoli (Astana Qazaqstan Team)
Filippo Fiorelli (Green Project–Bardiani CSF–Faizanè)
Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious)
Max Poole (Team dsm–firmenich)

Carlos Verona secured his first Grand Tour stage victory with a solo attack, holding off the chasing group to cross the finish line in Asiago ahead of his competitors.

General Classification After Stage 15

Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates–XRG) – 50h 37' 55"
Simon Yates (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – +1'20"
Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates–XRG) – +1'26"
Richard Carapaz (EF Education–EasyPost) – +2'07"
Primož Roglič (Red Bull–BORA–Hansgrohe) – +2'23"
Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) – +3'02"
Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) – +3'38"
Thymen Arensman (Ineos Grenadiers) – +3'45"
Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) – +3'58"
Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates–XRG) – +4'24"

Isaac Del Toro maintained his overall lead, showcasing resilience and tactical acumen to fend off challenges from his closest rivals.

Stage Analysis

Carlos Verona's Victory: Verona's triumph was a testament to strategic brilliance and endurance. Launching a solo attack with 44 km remaining, he managed to stay ahead of the chasing group, securing a memorable win for Lidl–Trek.

General Classification Dynamics: The stage witnessed significant shifts in the GC standings. Primož Roglič, a pre-race favorite, struggled on the final climb, losing valuable time and dropping to 10th overall. In contrast, Isaac Del Toro solidified his position at the top, demonstrating consistency and strength.

Video Highlights

For a visual recap of Stage 15's decisive moments, you can watch the final kilometers here:

As the Giro d'Italia heads into its final week, the battle for the maglia rosa intensifies. With challenging stages ahead, the resilience and strategy of the top contenders will be crucial in determining the ultimate victor.

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'What on earth?' - UAE chase down their own leader Isaac del Toro as controversy erupts at Giro d'Italia.

Isaac del Toro was wearing pink and in a promising move. His rivals were on the back foot. So why did UAE Team Emirates-XRG chase it down? A controversial tactical call lit up Stage 15 of the Giro d’Italia, with Juan Ayuso's mechanical sparking a sequence that left TNT Sports expert Adam Blythe scratching his head. The move was ultimately reeled in, but did UAE waste a golden chance?

There was a controversy at the Giro d'Italia as race leader Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) was chased down by his own team-mates on Stage 15.

Sunday’s stage to Asiago exploded into life with 97km remaining as UAE team leader Juan Ayuso hit trouble on the ascent of Monte Grappa, dropping to the back of the peloton with a mechanical before taking a bike change.

As Ayuso slowly made his way back, UAE continued to ride tempo on the front. But as soon as the Spaniard rejoined the back of a stretched-out bunch, Ineos Grenadiers suddenly upped the pace before Egan Bernal went on the attack.

Del Toro, wearing the maglia rosa, responded alongside Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) as a strong group formed.

It appeared to be the perfect scenario for UAE: Del Toro in a front group, meaning general classification hopefuls Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) had to lead the chase.

But instead of forcing rival teams to chase, UAE chased themselves.

"What on earth are UAE doing?" exclaimed Adam Blythe on TNT Sports commentary.

"They can put pressure on Roglic and Yates behind, Yates doesn't have a single team-mate in there, so he'd have to jump and start riding.

"Roglic and Yates are getting a free ride, they're being calm, they're waiting because the work's being done for them from the team that they're going up against.

"To me, it's like 'we respect Ayuso, he's the leader so we're going to stick by him no matter what the race situation is'."

Ayuso had arrived at the Giro sharing leadership duties with Adam Yates, but it was Del Toro who seized pink with a brilliant ride on Stage 9, finishing just behind Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike).

The 20-year-old Mexican, riding only his second Grand Tour, has barely put a wheel wrong. However, with Ayuso still in contention, UAE appeared reluctant to fully back him with the race’s brutal final week looming.

"If I was Del Toro in this situation right now, I'd be quite disappointed in how the team has treated me," continued Blythe.

"As a rider who's in the pink jersey, he's proven, he's not missed a beat, he's always been at the front.

"He went on the attack, got that pink jersey, and the only thing that's happening is he's being marked out by his own team. For what? He's in the race lead."

The camera then cut to Ayuso taking a turn on the front of the peloton.

"What is all this about?" continued Blythe, before telling a diplomatic Matt Stephens - who was attempting to see UAE’s logic - "you’re being too polite."

But Sean Kelly, 1988 Vuelta champion and a 21-time Grand Tour stage winner, disagreed with the criticism.

"I'm not agreeing with Adam at all. Not chasing wouldn't have been the tactic," he said.

"I know Ayuso is back there with Roglic and some of the other danger men to win this race, but leaving Del Toro out in front with Carapaz and Bernal, it's a danger if he gets into trouble in the final week.

"They want to keep Ayuso in this race and if I was a directeur sportif, that would be my tactic as well.

"He's a young rider, he's excellent, hasn't put a foot wrong in this race, but the final week is when you can get caught by the bad legs."

With UAE keeping the group on a leash, the gap never grew to a decisive margin, and the favourites regrouped ahead of the final climb - where the fireworks really began.

A lively Cat. 2 ascent saw Roglic lose time while Del Toro looked strong again. At the finish, the Mexican retained his 1'20" lead over Simon Yates, with Ayuso a further six seconds back at 1'26".

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