Wout Van Aert Wins Giro Stage 9, Isaac Del Toro Takes Overall Lead

Wout Van Aert secured a dramatic victory on stage nine of the 2025 Giro d'Italia, out-sprinting Mexican Isaac Del Toro in a two-up finish on the gravel roads into Siena's Piazza del Campo. Del Toro, who impressed throughout the stage, took over the overall race lead after Diego Ulissi, the previous pink jersey holder, faded early. The challenging 181-kilometer stage featured gravel sectors reminiscent of the Strade Bianche race, causing significant disruptions and time losses, notably for pre-race favorite Primož Roglič, who crashed and finished over two minutes behind, dropping to 10th overall. Giulio Ciccone came third, winning the sprint from the chasing group, while other top contenders like Richard Carapaz and Simon Yates finished further behind. The stage was pivotal in reshaping the general classification, highlighting Van Aert's impressive debut Giro performance and Del Toro's rise as a serious title contender. The race continues to be fiercely contested with unpredictable terrain playing a crucial role in the standings.