Why the Giro d’Italia peloton and Ayuso don't have to count on Isaac Del Toro collapsing

He has been in the spotlight since the young climber took the lead in the GC on day 9 in Siena. Suddenly, Del Toro was at the press conference every day, answering dozens of questions in the mixed zone and giving interviews before the start of each stage. Gone was the anonymity in which he had spent the first eight days of the Giro. Even then, he was already strong in the time trial and explosive finishes and picked up seconds in intermediate sprints along the way.

However, when the Mexican's time trial on day 10 was less than expected, it confirmed what many thought. Nice while it lasts, but Del Toro will never make it through the third week in the leader's jersey, right? But he continued to collect seconds, was always in the right groups, responded seemingly effortlessly to every attack, and, after fifteen stages, is now in first place, 1.20 minutes ahead of his closest rival, Simon Yates. Teammate Juan Ayuso is third, 1.26 minutes behind.

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Now that the third week is upon us, Del Toro was once again bombarded with questions during Monday's rest day. This time, however, they were not about the stages but more about his skills. Did he prepare for the Giro to be at his best in week 3, even as a super-domestique? "At the beginning of this year, we put together a calendar to be at our best in the biggest races. That included a big training block leading up to the Giro," he confirmed.

"I didn't post much about it on social media, but the team kept me informed. Together, we made sure that we are all at our best for this race, including me," said Del Toro, who feels ready for the third week, even though he will start in pink and not as a domestique. "I feel pretty good and am probably on top form. I'm not necessarily confident about the third week, but I have to believe I can do it."

"Ride smart with the team to get as far as possible," was the conclusion. Sports director Fabio Baldato confirmed that Del Toro can count on a super team in week 3. "From Tuesday onwards, it will be a real battle, so we wanted to ride as one team and stay together up to this point. We saw in the mountains that we were strong; when fifty riders were left, all eight of us were still there. We will take that mentality into the final week."

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Nevertheless, the UAE team agrees that Del Toro's position in the GC in his second Grand Tour was not necessarily the plan. "We have confidence in Isaac, but we're not putting any pressure on him. He's growing as a rider, but last year, he was ill in his first Grand Tour, the Vuelta, so that was a problem. Nevertheless, we believe in his potential, and Isaac is honest: if he doesn't have the legs, he helps someone else. But in Milan-Turin, he got the chance to win himself."

As said by sports director Joxean Matxin. The Spaniard emphasizes that Del Toro's development and growth are being monitored. The current Giro is just a very nice bonus. The young rider himself sees it that way, too. "As a little boy, you always want to be the best, and I've already made rapid progress in my career. I've had to believe in myself early on and learn what's happening around me. Every rider's dream is to be in contention for the win, but I'm taking it step by step."

It was not a coincidence that UAE chased a group that included Del Toro in stage 15 on Sunday. There is no reason to assume that he will collapse in the third week, but if that happens, it is essential that Ayuso, who is one year older, is in the best possible position to seize the opportunity. "That's why I don't feel any pressure; my teammates are helping me a lot with that," Del Toro said about the situation.

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The 22-year-old Ayuso must be patient because, after 15 days of the Giro, Baldato still calls Del Toro 'the leader.' But he has also used up a lot of energy on the bike and with all the media obligations on the side. "Sometimes I'm not always the smartest, and maybe I should use the team more, but I'm also new to these situations," Del Toro smiles when asked. "I want to be in the best position, and although I don't necessarily want to attack, I like to see what's happening at the front myself."

If that all goes wrong, there is a plan B with Ayuso. He is not in as good a position as Del Toro, with Simon Yates 6 seconds ahead of him and Richard Carapaz (EF), Derek Gee (Israel), Bahrain duo Damiano Caruso and Antonio Tiberi, and INEOS duo Egan Bernal and Thymen Arensman close behind him. "That's another reason why we've stayed together as a team. We're united around our leader, Isaac, and Juan is just following him."

Bram van der Ploeg (Twitter: @BvdPloegg | email: [email protected])