On a rain-slicked course into Pisa, the Giro d’Italia’s general classification began to take shape. Stage 10 delivered time gaps, tension, and, perhaps most significantly, a clearer picture of who’s really leading UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
The time trial itself belonged to Lidl-Trek's Daan Hoole, who surprised himself and thanked the weather gods to take a well-earned stage victory. But as the general classification contenders rolled in one by one, hampered by worsening weather, two names stood out from the shuffle: Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and UAE leader Juan Ayuso. It is as we suspected.
Roglič, who crashed during his recon ride, brushed off both injury and rain to take back valuable time. He now sits 1:18 back on Isaac del Toro and closed the gap to Ayuso to 53 seconds. Most important, his ride brought him back close to the pink jersey after losing big on the gravel stage Sunday, regaining time on nearly all of his key rivals. It was a quiet but undeniable statement. He isn’t back to his best yet, but he’s no longer in retreat either.
Ayuso, too, came away from the stage with momentum. Though he lost a small handful of seconds to Roglič, he took 48 seconds back from his teammate and current race leader, Del Toro.
UAE said at its rest-day press conference yesterday that the road would decide, the great wisdom of the tarmac determining which of the team’s embarrassment of GC riches will assume the mantle of sole leadership. On Tuesday, the road deliberated, discussed, and while a verdict has not yet been reached, a decision seems far closer than it did 24 hours ago.
A shift underway
Del Toro remains in pink. But as the second week begins, his hold on the jersey feels as ceremonial as it does strategic. He played it safe on the wet roads into Pisa and acknowledged afterward that he had little interest in taking risks. “I was a little bit scared in every corner,” he said. “But it was fun. I’m super happy.”
As the race terrain shifts, so too does the team hierarchy. The time lost to Ayuso was not catastrophic, but it was telling. For now, Del Toro’s job is to defend the jersey. Before long, his job may be to help deliver it to a teammate.
UAE’s leadership picture is beginning to crystallize around Ayuso, who has been both consistent and quietly authoritative since the race began. His performance in the time trial was exactly what the team would have hoped for: solid enough to gain ground on Del Toro, good enough to keep Roglič in check, and mature enough to suggest he’s ready to lead.
If you’re a UAE director looking at the coming week, it’s hard to imagine a better scenario. Your young talent has pink. He’s gaining valuable experience. The rider you feel you can trust in the mountainous third week, Ayuso, is leading his rivals but, crucially, is doing so without the daily rigamarole of wearing the maglia rosa. Little press, no podium. Just straight to the bus and a big bowl of rice. If Del Toro doesn’t falter, decisions will have to be made, but if he does, a teammate is ready and waiting.
After the stage, Ayuso and Del Toro shared a hug, a gesture that felt genuine, but also symbolic. This is no civil war; just a team following the formbook.
Roglič rides back into contention
Deja vu all over again, eh? Roglič fell down during recon. Let the memes commence. Nature is healing, etc.
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