Mads Pedersen showed again why he’s the standout sprinter-puncheur of this year’s Giro d’Italia, storming to victory on stage 13’s uphill finish to Vicenza. The Dane held off Wout van Aert in a fierce drag to the line atop Monte Berico, while race leader Isaac Del Toro added to his overall advantage by claiming third place and a vital time bonus.
The 180km stage from Rovigo to Vicenza began on flat roads but always hinted at more drama, with the punchy finale promising a showdown between GC riders and versatile sprinters. A nine-rider breakaway formed early, but the peloton, led by Lidl-Trek, Visma-Lease a Bike and Q36.5, never let them gain much of a margin.
The tension ratcheted up on the San Giovanni in Monte climb with 50km to go. Ineos Grenadiers turned the screw, and the peloton was soon in pieces. Lorenzo Germani tried to go solo but was reeled in alongside Christian Scaroni just ahead of the Red Bull bonus sprint. There, Del Toro and Juan Ayuso of UAE Team Emirates played out a tactical duel, with Ayuso taking four bonus seconds and Del Toro two.
With under 10km to go, Romain Bardet and Mathias Vacek launched a late move. The duo carved out a gap of nearly 20 seconds, and for a moment, it looked like they might hold on. But the peloton, sensing the threat, lifted the pace just enough to bring them back on the slopes of the final climb.
Pedersen timed his move perfectly. With 200 metres to go and the gradient kicking up to 12%, he launched early down the right-hand side. Van Aert tried to follow but couldn’t match the Lidl-Trek rider’s power. Del Toro came across the line in third, a few seconds behind, but far enough ahead of his rivals to extend his GC lead further.
Photo Credit: LaPressePedersen overjoyed but reflective
Speaking seconds after the finish, Pedersen said he had to go earlier than he wanted: “On such a hard day and a final like this, everyone has burning legs in the finale. It was definitely nice to have seen it before.” He credited the team for their role in the victory, noting that they first tried to win with Mathias Vacek and only shifted to plan B when that was neutralised.
Later, in the press conference, Pedersen said: “Not only the Giro, but the whole season has been really good for me so far… I try to keep that shape till Rome. In a finale like today’s, you have to see the openings.” He added that he would have been happy to see Vacek win the stage. “If it would have been a little bit more hesitation in the peloton, then him and Bardet would have had 25, 30 seconds and I’m pretty sure they would have made it to the finish line.”
He also praised Giulio Ciccone for managing the pressure and race demands well. “He’s found a fine balance between assuming the pressure and taking it easy, it’s a new Cicco we see now.”
Del Toro still on top
Isaac Del Toro retained the maglia rosa for a fifth day and extended his lead over teammate Ayuso to 38 seconds after bonus seconds at both the intermediate sprint and finish line. “It was a really good day with the team,” he said. “I didn’t particularly train for sprinting… I don’t think I’m spending that much energy in chasing bonuses. At least I want to believe so.”
He acknowledged the learning curve he’s still on, but said with growing confidence: “Maybe I’m not the favourite on paper but I have to be strong and listen to the guys in the team.”
Del Toro continues to race with instinct and youthful boldness. “To try, you need to believe you can do it,” he said. “It was the first time I was able to compete in a finish like that… I did my best. Chapeau to them.”
Photo Credit: LaPresseVan Aert close again
Wout van Aert had to settle for second for the second time in this Giro, once again outkicked by Pedersen. “It suited me pretty well I have to say. I think Mads was just a tiny bit stronger,” he said. Van Aert also pointed to a costly moment earlier in the race when he had to close a gap after being delayed on a descent. “I wasted a lot of energy there with around 50km to go, so it’s a shame to come so close.”
Still, he remains upbeat about the performances. “People will say I’m back, but I was never gone,” he added.
Pedersen’s win makes it four stage victories at this Giro – a mark only reached by a handful of riders in recent decades. He continues to lead the points classification and now holds a commanding 122-point lead in the race for the maglia ciclamino.
For the sprinters, chances are starting to run out. Stage 14 to Nova Gorica offers the next opportunity, but the terrain is not straightforward. After that, attention turns to Rome, where a flat closing stage offers a final hurrah. As for the GC fight, Del Toro still leads Ayuso by 38 seconds, with Antonio Tiberi a further 40 seconds back. Sunday’s stage to Monte Grappa will offer a clearer picture of who can really contend for the title – but for now, the young Mexican remains firmly in control.
2025 Giro d’Italia Stage 13 result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: LaPresse
