Giro d’Italia Stage 16 Live – Carapaz attacks away from Del Toro and Yates as GC action explodes on summit finish
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Del Toro does keep hold of the race leader’s pink jersey, but only by a narrow 26 seconds from Yates still in second. Carapaz’s stunning day out has moved him into third with just 31 seconds separating him from the maglia rosa.
The calculations are yet to be made, but the young Mexican might just have managed to hold onto the lead of the race. The race is far from over, but Carapaz took a huge step in pursuit of a second Giro title today.
What a stage.
Carapaz puts a lot of time into Yates, but not enough to move ahead of him on GC Del Toro is fighting now to the line in pink, but it’s a full crack.
Gee finishes strongly to take fifth on the day and move himself up a lot on GC. There will be lots to come out in the wash of stage 16.
Pellizzari takes off for an Italian 1-2-3 on the stage, but Carapaz makes a huge big for victory in this Giro d’Italia, with fourth on the day.
Stage 16 finish
Into the final 500 metres now for the Astana duo, but who will get the victory? Money would be on Scaroni, with Fortunato set to win the maglia azzurra, and after all the work the former has done for the latter.
A look at Del Toro before he was dropped by Yates. It’s been a stunning run in pink for him, but that looks like it is about to come to an end.
1km to go
Derek Gee is working away beautifully on the climb and trying to bridge across to Carapaz. The Canadian will be one of the big GC winners on the day.
Carapaz has to gain 47 seconds to take pink from Yates, who is working away with two Tudor riders to try and keep his overall bid alive. Del Toro is only just in the virtual lead but he is leaking time as the kilometres tick on.
2km to go
Almost forgot about the leaders on the road, but Fortunato and Scaroni are under 2.5km from the finish, with Carapaz still two minutes behind them.
Carapaz is catching remnants of the break and Pellizzari. He’s flying away from those behind and may be winning the Giro d’Italia right now. The gaps have been taken out but there’s still 3.2km to go and Del Toro has cracked.
Del Toro dropped
Carapaz in full flight on stage 16.
Carapaz is almost a minute ahead of Del Toro and Yates already, and the gap is growing. He started the day in fourth, just 2:07 behind the race lead, and it looks like he is going to come very close to, if not fully take over, the pink jersey.
Yates tried to counter away from Del Toro with another attack, but Del Toro was every bit his equal and marked him immediately.
The Locomotora is chugging away nicely here, with the 2019 Giro champion already 40 seconds in front.
Here’s a look back at Yates’ earlier move which sparked all of this, but Carapaz has countered with an even stronger blow!
5km to go
Richard Carapaz attacks!
Yates kicks on again, and the gap to the break is back down to just 3:30. The likes of Tiberi and Bernal are both dropped further down, losing more than 20 seconds already.
Gee makes contact, with Storer trying to make contact and Rubio following him closely.
Derek Gee is grinding away behind to try and join Yates, Carapaz and Del Toro.
7.2km to go
Simon Yates attack
With UAE knocking off the high tempo that Van Aert had been setting, Pellizzari has been allowed to get 45 seconds ahead of the main group.
Fortunato drops Cepeda to try and bridge to his teammates. They will be doing a two-man team trial to try and finish off a perfect day for the tam on stage 16. Cepeda unable to follow the Italian.
An look at Fortunato and Scaroni setting up that latest attack. With a 3:47-lead to the peloton, they may not have enough to win the day.
10km to go
Attack in the break
Attack
Finally Wout van Aert is done after a super turn and big day in the break. UAE back in control with Majka, who will surely try to knock it back a touch and get Adam Yates back to the front alongside the Pole.
At the front of the race, Voisard’s efforts have put him out the back, with XDS Astana again looking the best. Fortunato is on the front with Scaroni and Cepeda still there.
Van Aert’s brutal pace is threatening to leave Del Toro without any teammates, with Adam Yates beginning to struggle. Big, big day for Visma-Lease a Bike today and expect Simon Yates to try a move soon.
Voisard caught and XDS Astana are looking very good to try and take the stage win here. Movistar’s Cepeda is continuing to match them, but the Italian pair will be confident for the final 13km.
Up front, Leemreize too is dropping from the break, with Fortunato and Scaroni pushing on to try and reel in Voisard fully.
Van Aert takes over now and he looks good. Yates has big help here and must be feeling good.
It’s another one of the early break operating as a satellite rider in the main GC group now, with Rafferty pulling for Carapaz to try something on this final climb.
Astana are making moves now from the break, with Scaroni and Fortunato showing their strength and trying to chase down Voisard. Bilbao and Moniquet dropped now.
15km to go
Voisard is onto the climb now in the breakaway. The Swiss rider has a narrow 21-second gap on the chasing remnants of the early move.
Still, UAE continue to pace in the maglia rosa group behind, but the gap is stable at 4:35 from the breakaway. Nonetheless, this final should still be explosive.
A look at first and second on GC at the Giro d’Italia, Del Toro and Yates. Who will come out on top at the end of this summit finish?
20km to go
We’re really getting two races in one here, with a furious fight in the break and the GC battle set to explode even further on the final ascent.
Voisard is having a big crack on the descent down to the foot of the climb. He’s throwing caution to the wind on the dry roads, and it’s working, as he’s now ahead of his fellow escapees.
Poole and Storer’s attempt to get away on the climb has been neutralised by UAE pacing behind with Majka and Yates.
Here’s what is awaiting those in the break and the GC favourites behind on the final of this brutal stage 16.
The finish in San Valentino is categorised as one 18.2km ascent with an average gradient of 6.2% but that doesn’t paint the full picture of the long 9% average section in the middle and the 8% ramp in the final kilometres of the hellish climb. It should be a good one, with some big gaps.
30km to go
Majka is once again proving his incredible value as a domestique. He’s been Tadej Pogačar’s right-hand man in many of the last few years, but now he’s doing just as good a job for Isaac del Toro.
Top of the climb
Bernal has avoided the same disastrous fate as Ayuso and is back in the maglia rosa group, but that early drop does not bode well for his chances on the final climb.
35km to go
Rafał Majka and Adam Yates are pacing for Del Toro in the maglia rosa group, with less than five minutes now separating them from the remnants of the breakaway.
So far, Isaac del Toro has lived up to the billing and survived all the pressure of leading a Grand Tour. How will he cope in the final of tihs brutal stage?
Bernal, unlike Ayuso, is not completely gone. He’s fighting away with a lot of this penultimate climb still to ride. He should be approaching the relatively easier gradients at the top of the climb.
Update on the group of GC favourites: Del Toro, Yates, Carapaz, Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech), Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain-Victorious), Einer Rubio (Movistar) and Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) are all still present, with teammates only left for the race leader and Tiberi.
Yates has taken up the mantle of pacing as those behind him on GC continue to struggle. How will Del Toro hold up?
Egan Bernal dropped
Attack
In the breakaway, the nine strongest climbers have made a difference and formed a lead group – Bilbao, Moniquet, Germani, Cepeda, Barrenetxea, Leemreize, Voisard, Fortunato and Scaroni.
Still 6km to go before this penultimate climb is completed. Lots more action to come on stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia.
40km to go
Arensman is dropped now as well, which means Bernal will be isolated in the main group. The Dutchman won’t be a factor in GC now.
Tudor are moving to the front for Storer, with not many domestiques left for anyone in this group of favourites.
The gap is down to 6:40 as EF continue to light things up for Carapaz. Surely we’ll see the former Olympic champion blast off before the end of this penultimate climb.
Ayuso may be dropped, but Del Toro looks to be stepping up as he has done so far in this race. The Emirati team will be all in for the 21-year-old.
Ayuso dropped
Leemreize is moving well in the break, setting a high pace with 8km of the climb still to ride. His pace is causing others to struggle in the lead group.
Ineos are getting interested as well, with the ever-reliable Jonathan Castroviejo moving to the front to show the British team are similarly interested in trying something.
EF Education-EasyPost’s high tempo has brought the gap down to 7:37, but they will be hoping Carapaz can deliver a hammer blow later on.
As the stage has reached the good weather, it has brought out some more stunning sights in norther Italy.
Visma-Lease a Bike too are moving forwards ahead of Del Toro and UAE. Simon Yates started the day in second, just 1:20 behind the Mexican, and has Van Aert up the road to bridge to should he want to make a move.
Behind in the peloton, it’s Carapaz’s EF team who came to the front to set the pace. He’s clearly feeling fine despite crashing earlier.
Still eight minutes from the breakaway to the peloton, so it looks like one of those from the early move will take victory today.
Bilbao is sat in third wheel and looking strong in this break, as more riders start to fall away.
Attack
De Bondt says goodbye to the camera after another day in the breakaway for the Belgian specialist.
50km to go
The race is now 3km from the foot of the penultimate climb to Santa Barbara, where a 12.7km climb that averages an 8.3% gradient should see the GC action kick off.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, for some reason, are on the front of the peloton and pulling with Nico Denz.
60km to go
Riders pass by Castel Madruzzo as stage 16 goes through a calmer moment before the next brutal climb arrives.
There is a small split in the breakaway after that sprint, but it’s still unfolding now.
De Bondt sprints for the intermediate point and beats Van Aert to the prize. It looked as though the two may continue on the effort, but that was short-lived.
1km until the intermediate sprint in Cavedine.
Bernal is back in the peloton after getting some help from his teammates.
The gap to the breakaway has restored to seven minutes, and UAE Team Emirates-XRG are back in control on the front.
70km to go
Finally, the sun comes out on stage 16.
The stage is heading downhill for the next few kilometres, before an uncategorised portion of climbing ahead of the next intermediate sprint in Cavedine. After that, the race will hit a steep downhill before reaching the foot of the penultimate, brutal climb to Santa Barbara.
Mikkel Honoré (EF Education-EasyPost) has accidentally got himself off the front of the peloton as the pace is knocked off slightly, and Ineos stop pushing it on the descent. Still a 5:46 gap to the break.
80km to go
Amid all the bad news on today’s stage, the roads are drying up slightly and the rain appears to not be falling in the area the race is heading into now. Should be safer for the break and peloton from now.
Ineos Grenadiers’ continued pressure has brought the gap down to the break further to just 5:35. Expect more fireworks from Bernal later in the day, as he’s shown already throughout this Giro.
With the top of the climb comes another tricky wet downhill to complete for the 23-rider break and peloton.
Ayuso has made it back in now, so no dramas there for now. In the break, XDS Astana are again pacing for Fortunato, with less than a kilometre of the climb separating him from another 40-point gain in the KOM classification.
Update from VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè on the condition of Martinelli after that scary incident. Main point is that he has been “transported to the hospital”, and “is currently conscious and his condition is stable.”
Ayuso is working his way back on, only at a 24-second deficit from the Ineos-led peloton now, but that was bizarre nonetheless.
90km to go
It’s pure chaos on this stage of the Giro, with Juan Ayuso now finding himself a minute off the back of the peloton. He’s been caught out and is now working his way back on.
Crash
Primož Roglič abandons the Giro d’Italia
Crash
The breakaway is now on the second climb of the day, Candriai. There are reports of crashes in the peloton behind, meaning the gap has now gone out even further to 9:12.
It’s going to be a long, wet and cold day on the front for Filippo Baroncini, who is currently controlling things for Del Toro and UAE behind.
100km to go
Confirmation that it was Alessio Martinelli (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) who went down in that crash, TNT reporting on the ground says that the ambulance and mountain rescue team are with him now, thankfully, and they are lowing down a stretcher to assist him.
110km to go
Crash
A look at Van Aert leading the breakaway on stage 16. He could prove vitally important for Visma-Lease a Bike’s Simon Yates later on in the stage, whether the Brit launches an attack, or struggles under the GC pressure.
Taking a look into the riders in the break, they will be split in their ambitions. The likes of Gaudu and Bilbao among those hoping to go for the stage win, while Van Aert, Rafferty and Heiduk could be used later on as satellite riders for their respective GC leaders.
120km to go
The break will now be onto the wet and reportedly tricky descent into Trento, with a 6:21 advantage over the peloton.
Top of the climb
With 128km to go, the breakaway has all joined together in front, making it a lead group of 24 now.
A look at Juan Ayuso back in the peloton. It will be interesting to see how his day ends up on stage 16.
Masnada is continuing to work well for Fortunato, gap to the leaders down to 30 seconds with 2km of the climb remaining.
130km to go
UAE Team Emirates-XRG have settled into their control of the peloton for now, with the gap going out to 6:31.
Radio change for Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost). You can tell how easy the peloton is now going, with the Ecuadorian fully stopping to sort out his communications without any stress.
Full list of the chasing group of 18 who are 1:20 down from the lead: Simon Guglielmi (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious), Sylvain Moniquet (Cofidis), Dries De Bondt (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), Kim Heiduk (Ineos Grenadiers), Simone Petilli (Intermarché-Wanty), Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda (Movistar), Felix Engelhardt (Jayco AlUla), Gijs Leemreize (Picnic PostNL), Davide Bais, Mattia Bais (Polti VisitMalta), Yannis Voisard (Tudor), Luca Covili, Alessio Martinelli (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè), Lorenzo Fortunato, Fausto Masnada and Christian Scaroni (XDS Astana).
A look inside the massive chase group of just under 20 riders that got away before the first climb.
The peloton has now slowed down massively, with UAE being happy to allow the lead group of six to build a 5:10 advantage. The large chasing group are 1:30 further down the road.
The break is now onto the first categorised climb of the day to Carbonare, with 12.9km of relatively shallow gradients – compared to what awaits them later in the day – to tackle.
140km to go
The latest move sparked by Bilbao is a massive one, but UAE seem to be happy with the composition of it, allowing them 30 seconds of a lead already.
As I typed that, Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious) has decided it isn’t over. His attack off the front prompts two, three and four more to follow him in the next move.
That last power move from UAE seems to have shut down all of the attacks behind and for now, it looks like the six-man break up the road are finally being allowed to build a lead.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG have started to show signs of wanting to control. Del Toro is already in second wheel with 5km to go until the foot of the first climb of the day.
150km to go
First communication from Tarling’s team Ineos Grenadiers on his condition. Look out for updates on the team’s social media and from us here as and when it is announced.
Alpecin-Deceuninck and Polti remain the teams that are clearly being told to keep trying by their sports directors. The gap to the leaders is going in the wrong direction now, however, out to 1:23.
The breakaway is around 20 kilometres from the foot of the first climb of the day. It’s a category 2 ascent to Carbonare, and the easiest of the day – 12.9km at 4.6%.
160km to go
Intermediate sprint
XDS Astana are now mounting a move with several riders out of the peloton. They will be eyeing up the huge haul of King of the Mountains points on offer on stage 16, with Lorenzo Fortunato looking to extend his lead in the blue jersey competition.
Still no giving up from those behind, who are keeping the pace high after an attacking opening 40km of racing.
Advantage for the six in front has gone out to more than a minute now, with three kilometres now until the intermediate sprint.
170km to go
Flat tire for Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) as Pedersen continues to make moves at the front of the peloton, who are getting further behind the break now at 55 seconds.
A look into the breakaway of the day on stage 16, and the grim rainy conditions.
Confirmation through now that the stage 2 winner from this year’s Giro Tarling has abandoned due to that crash.
Crash
180km to go
With 20km to go before the first intermediate sprint, Pedersen is still among the riders interested in getting ahead on stage 16.
While the group in front of seven is growing their advantage out to 40 seconds, the action is far from done behind, with more counter moves being launched.
Here’s a look at Tarling at the start before he got into the breakaway. He’ll be no stranger to the grim weather in northern Italy today as a Welshman.
A rundown of the group of the front, who have a 30-second lead over the peloton: Van Aert, Rafferty, Josh Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers), Xabier Mikel Azparren (Q36.5), Lorenzo Germani (Groupama-FDJ), Josef Černý (Soudal -QuickStep) and Jon Barrenetxea (Movistar).
190km to go
All riders who went down are back, even Garofoli despite a big impact. That could have been much worse with the Italian going down right at the front of the peloton, but thankfully a mass crash was avoided.
Crash
195km to go
The opening 60km of the stage are the easiest, with a dragging uphill start up to the first climb to Carbonare. Lots of teams trying to get into the break but no joy so far.
203km to go
167 riders took the start this morning after two left the race on the rest day yesterday – Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep) and Milan Fretin (Cofidis).
Full focus for the pink jersey Isaac del Toro ahead of the start. Huge day for him today in the mountains.
Just under 4km of neutralised riding left to complete now for the peloton.
Rain jackets and umbrellas for everyone at the start today… A brutal day awaits the peloton.
Last bit of rest day content to get into ahead of the stage is Matilda Price’s interview with Ineos Grenadiers duo Josh Tarling and Ben Turner. With Egan Bernal racing well so far, but needing to make up time, the British team could be one of the main animators of action on today’s stage.
Unofficial start of Stage 16
Here’s what an honest Primož Roglič had to say at the start to Eurosport:
“For sure I’m definitely better than yesterday, what that means, we will see because we will need a couple of 100% to be better and be good,” said Roglič.
“I don’t really care what it is, or how it is, but I will just give it a try and if I can see I can do it I will ride, otherwise every kilometre that I can ride will be something.”
Is he hopeful for the overall lead anymore? “I don’t really think it’s realistic anymore to do the GC, I’m obviously fighting for survival like I said. I still came to the start today and I couldn’t even ride the bike yesterday, so I’ll just see if I can ride.”
Here’s our preview of the 16th stage, with big GC action promised in Italy’s Trentino-South Tyrol region:
The big news coming out of yesterday’s rest day was that UAE Team Emirates-XRG committed fully to current race leader Isaac del Toro as the man who can bring them victory.
Read what the young Mexican star and senior UAE team staff had to say on Monday here:
There is good news coming out of the start already, with our team on the ground confirming and witnessing Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) take to the start in Piazzola sul Brenta.
Read what team DS Patxi Vila had to say to CN’s Head of News, Stephen Farrand, this morning on Roglič’s condition below:
‘He’s much better’ – Primož Roglič battles on in Giro d’Italia, confirmed to start stage 16
Riders are due to roll out from the neutralised start in just under 20 minutes at 11:20 local time in Italy, with the flag drop and racing proper to get underway at 11:35 CET.
Here’s a look at the profile of today’s brutal stage from Piazzola sul Brenta to San Valentino (Brentonico) , with the 203km route taking in almost 5000m of elevation gain.
Hello and welcome back to Cyclingnews‘ live coverage of the 2025 Giro d’Italia! Stage 16 opens up a hellish final week of action, where the overall winner will be decided on a series of mountain days.
