Simon Yates Surges to Maglia Rosa on the Fearsome Colle delle Finestre
If you’re looking for edge-of-your-seat cycling drama, the penultimate stage of the 2025 Giro d’Italia had it all. Simon Yates, the British climber who’s known for his grit and unpredictability, took the maglia rosa in storybook fashion on Stage 20, grinding to the summit of the notorious Colle delle Finestre. This route isn’t just tough—it’s legendary among cycling fans. At over 2,100 meters high with sections of gravel and double-digit gradients, the Finestre throws tactics out the window, leaving only the strongest upright.
Yates delivered a masterclass in timing, dropping veteran Richard Carapaz and then catching the race leader, Isaac del Toro, whose face was a mask of exhaustion. Yates’ acceleration on the hardest slopes looked decisive, shredding the fragile hierarchy that existed before the day began. For context, Yates hadn’t worn pink in the Giro since 2018, which added an extra layer of redemption—especially after his heartbreak collapses and missed opportunities in previous Grand Tours.
This was no fluke. Each attack from his rivals looked to dent his resolve, but Yates rode as if he had something to prove. His win on Finestre not only toppled del Toro but reshuffled the entire GC with just one stage left in Rome. You could hear it in the crowd and in the team car radios—everyone on the mountain sensed they were witnessing a defining career moment.
Adam Yates on Brotherly Pride and Simon’s Long Road Back
While most eyes were trained on Simon’s solo ride up the gravel switchbacks, another story unfolded behind the scenes: Adam Yates’ reaction. The Yates twins are famous in the cycling world not just for their wins but for their quiet competitiveness and mutual respect. When Simon sealed his stunning stage and race lead, Adam’s pride wasn’t exactly a secret—even if the exact words haven’t surfaced, those close to the brothers described an overwhelming sense of shared achievement.
Adam put it simply in previous interviews: "If it was anyone, I’d want it to be my brother." That sort of loyalty is rare in a sport built on rivalry. Before this, Simon had come painfully close—third at the 2021 Giro and a gutsy fourth at last year’s Tour de France that left no doubt about his climbing chops. But cycling isn’t kind to the nearly-men. Simon had to claw his way back to this moment after years of setbacks. Fans remembered crashes, mechanicals, and a string of days where the power faded just when it mattered most.
The Yates family, too, knows the grind of professional cycling better than most, with both brothers often riding for different teams and sometimes finding themselves as direct competitors. There’s a real sense among those close to them that Simon’s return to the top means just as much to Adam as it does to the man in pink himself. After years of near misses, redemption isn’t just a headline—it’s a feeling you can see on their faces.
With just one stage to Rome and the maglia rosa on his shoulders, Simon Yates will know better than anyone that nothing’s certain until the final finish line. But for the first time in years, the Giro is his to lose—and for fans of the sport, it’s a reminder of just how wild and rewarding the mountains can be.
Jun, 1 2025