Isaac Del Toro Defends Giro d'Italia Pink Jersey After Stage 19 Alpine Clash

Isaac Del Toro, the first Mexican rider to wear the pink jersey, defended his lead in the Giro d’Italia after a challenging stage 19 in the Italian Alps, maintaining control over key rivals such as Richard Carapaz and Simon Yates. Del Toro successfully matched Carapaz's late surge on the final climb, extending his overall lead to 43 seconds as the race heads into the decisive mountain stage over the Colle delle Finestre. Prior to stage 19, Del Toro took it relatively easy on stage 18, finishing safely in the peloton while German rider Nico Denz won the stage with a solo breakaway, providing a morale boost for his struggling Red Bull team after the loss of key riders Jai Hindley and Primoz Roglic. Del Toro's teammate Juan Ayuso abandoned the race due to knee pain and a bee sting, underscoring the physical toll of the event. The upcoming stages, rated with maximum difficulty, will be critical in determining the overall winner as Del Toro aims to hold onto his pink jersey through the grueling final mountain climbs before the race concludes in Rome. Denz's victory marks his third stage win at the Giro, highlighting his strong performance amid his team's recent setbacks.