The Giro d’Italia witnessed a thrilling Stage 19 as Isaac del Toro successfully defended his pink jersey after a grueling 166km ride through the Italian Alps. The stage,which featured five important climbs,saw Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) launch a fierce attack on the final climb,but the 21-year-old from Baja California matched his rival’s pace,ensuring he will wear the Pink jersey into Saturday’s mountain finale.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Prodhomme of Decathlon-Ag2r La Mondiale seized the stage win with a decisive attack on the penultimate climb, finishing 58 seconds ahead of the general classification contenders.

“Our breakaway didn’t have a big gap. I didn’t feel great when I followed the first attacks. My legs were stiff on the first climb,” the French rider said. “On Col de Joux, I realized that I needed to take risks or else we were going nowhere. I’ve come fifth on two stages because I didn’t risk anything. Today I decided to play for winning.”

Despite the presence of three first-category climbs earlier in the stage, the critical action unfolded on the Cat. 2 Antagnod (9.5km at 4.7%) and the subsequent descent to the finish line.

Carapaz initiated a move from the GC group midway up the Antagnod, but Del Toro responded swiftly, creating a gap between themselves and the other contenders. Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) struggled to keep pace, while Derek (Israel Premier Tech) attempted to improve his podium position.

Del Toro ultimately finished second, just ahead of Carapaz, gaining two bonus seconds and extending his overall lead to 43 seconds. Giulio Pellizzari crashed into the barriers but avoided serious injury.brandon McNulty achieved his best stage result, finishing fifth and moving into 10th place overall.

“I cannot believe all the support I am getting from the team in this Giro,” Del Toro said. “Don’t crash – I just want to arrive healthy and be there tomorrow.”

Yates remains in third place, 1:21 behind, with Gee in fourth, 2:32 back.

With one stage remaining, the general classification remains tightly contested, but del Toro appears to be in a strong position.

Stage 19 results: Prodhomme wins, Del Toro defends

“I cannot believe all the support I am getting from the team in this Giro,” Del Toro said.

Prodhomme sole survivor from big break

Stage 19, a 166km route through the Italian Alps with five significant climbs, was anticipated to be a decisive day. Though, the peloton’s fatigue and the looming final mountain stage seemed to temper aggressive racing.

The pace remained high, with the cumulative altitude gain reaching nearly 5000m.An initial large breakaway group formed, but the challenging terrain gradually reduced its size.

with less than 30km remaining from Biella to Champoluc, the stage became a battle between the breakaway and the GC contenders.

Prodhomme takes his maiden Grand Tour stage win

The DECATHLON AG2R LA MONDIALE TEAM rider holds off the general classification favourites to win Stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia from the early breakaway

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1 produce
2 of the bull, +58 “
3 Carapaz, +58 ” pic.twitter.com/fdPnISftJx

– Velon CC (@veloncc) May 30, 2025

On the final Cat. 1 climb, the leading group dwindled to three riders: Prodhomme, Antonio Tiberi, and Carlos Verona. Prodhomme then launched a solo attack to pursue the stage victory.

Behind him, UAE Team Emirates-XRG assumed control of the GC group, following earlier efforts by Red Bull and Visma-Lease a Bike.

Among the GC favorites, del Toro was supported by teammates Rafal Majka, Brandon McNulty, and Igor Arrieta, who set a strong tempo. Their work reduced the gap to Prodhomme to just over a minute with 25km remaining.

Carapaz attacked, but