Watch the 2025 Giro d’Italia Video Highlights
Giro d’Italia 2025: Final Week Recap
and Stage Winners from Stages 16–21
The final week of the 2025 Giro d’Italia delivered high drama across the Alps and Dolomites, with critical mountain stages and a surprise GC shake-up that crowned Simon Yates as overall winner. From Stage 16 to Stage 21, the race saw breakout performances, brutal weather, and tactical battles that reshaped the leaderboard. Isaac Del Toro fought valiantly to defend the maglia rosa, but a decisive attack on Monte Grappa handed Yates his first Giro d’Italia title. Here’s a full breakdown of the final six stages, including key climbs, race strategy, and each stage winner.
Stage 16: Scaroni Rides Clear in a Rain-Soaked War of Attrition
The Giro’s third week opened with brutal conditions as relentless rain and nearly 5,000 meters of climbing created carnage in the peloton. Riders tackled a relentless series of climbs through Trentino, including Santa Barbara and the final grind to San Valentino. Amid crashes and withdrawals—including that of 2023 champion Primož Roglič—Astana’s Christian Scaroni capitalized on a reduced breakaway and timed his attack perfectly on the final slopes. With teammates supporting the move, he soloed to a dramatic first Grand Tour stage win. The GC contenders rode conservatively amid the chaos, allowing a reshuffling of top-10 positions.
Stage 17: Del Toro Destroys the Field on the Mortirolo
At only 154 km, this stage from San Michele all’Adige to Bormio packed a serious punch. The feared Mortirolo Pass shaped the day, with its steep gradients creating massive time gaps. Race leader Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) struck with 2 km to go after climbing steadily behind the break. Overtaking the last remnants of the early escape, he held off GC threats like Richard Carapaz to seal a powerful solo win and extend his lead in the maglia rosa. The move reestablished him as the strongest climber in the race after his near-miss two days earlier.
Stage 18: Denz Times it Right on a Day of Change
The race returned to flatter roads as the peloton headed toward Treviso, and the sprinters saw their final chance. But it was the breakaway that ruled the day. Nico Denz (Bora–Hansgrohe) attacked from a large group of escapees and used his time trial strength to hold off the pack. His victory brought relief to a team that had struggled during the high mountains. Behind, the GC riders remained quiet, but the withdrawal of Juan Ayuso due to injury added drama to the day. For Denz, it was a tactical masterpiece, launching with enough margin to survive the closing chase.
Stage 19: Prodhomme Survives a Selective Aosta Stage
This Alpine stage offered multiple long climbs—including Col Tzecore and Col de Joux—and favored strong breakaway riders. Nicolas Prodhomme (Decathlon AG2R) seized his chance from the early move, pacing himself expertly over each climb. His well-timed solo attack on the penultimate ascent gave him the cushion needed to win ahead of a closing group of GC favorites. Del Toro and Carapaz finished just behind, with no major changes in the overall lead. However, fatigue and altitude began to show across the peloton, hinting at what might come in the final high-mountain test.
Stage 20: Yates Turns the Giro on Monte Grappa
In what was expected to be the decisive stage, two ascents of Monte Grappa brought fireworks. Team Jayco–AlUla executed a flawless plan, launching Simon Yates on the final climb as his rivals hesitated. With teammate Wout van Aert having set the tempo earlier, Yates created a gap on Del Toro and Carapaz and never looked back. His solo victory earned him the stage and catapulted him into the overall lead, completing a dramatic reversal after trailing all race. For Del Toro, the Giro’s balance shifted with just one day left.
Stage 21: Kooij Wins in Rome, Yates Seals Giro Glory
The final stage in Rome was largely ceremonial for the GC contenders, but the sprinters still had one last shot. Multiple laps around the city’s iconic landmarks set the scene for a bunch finish. Olav Kooij (Visma | Lease a Bike) proved the fastest in a tight sprint, giving his team a second stage win. Simon Yates crossed the line safely to confirm his first-ever Giro d’Italia overall victory, while Isaac Del Toro and Richard Carapaz completed the final podium. The three-week battle ended with drama, comebacks, and a champion who struck at the perfect moment.
Watch Giro d’Italia Video Highlights – Stages 1-7
Watch Giro d’Italia Video Highlights – Stages 8-15
Photo Credit: Daniele Molineris / Red Bull Content Pool
No products found.
