Del Toro storms to victory at Giro dell’Emilia

UAE Team Emirates-XRG continued their run of remarkable successes on Saturday as Isaac Del Toro stormed to victory at the Giro dell’Emilia and Brandon McNulty continued to defend his lead at the overall title at the CRO Race.

In the 199.2 km Giro dell’Emilia, Del Toro outmatched his rivals in a thrilling finale atop San Luca, out-sprinting Tom Pidcock (Team Q.36.5) in a head-to-head finish to take yet another Italian classic. The race’s multiple ascents and punishing circuits threw everything at the riders-but Del Toro timed his effort perfectly, closed a late gap, and showed his strength when it mattered most.

This marks his 14th victory of the year and cements his reputation as one of the season’s most formidable one-day riders.

The day also marks the longest race he has won as a professional rider.

Jay Vine set the tone early on the opening ascent, before Rafał Majka took over to whittle the peloton down to just 30 riders. On the third climb, Majka and Vine controlled proceedings, paving the way for a sharp attack from Adam Yates 1.1km from the summit.

Cian Uijtdebroeks crested the top shortly after as Yates’s move formed an elite lead group of 11 riders, including Del Toro and Vine, with Vine returning to the front to maintain a strong tempo for the team.

The fireworks continued on the fourth ascent as Vine again pushed from the base, prompting an attack from Uijtdebroeks, with only Martínez able to respond.

Del Toro played a key role in the chase alongside Pidcock, while Roglič and Storer hung on in the select group. With 7.1km to go, the front group regrouped before the final climb delivered the decisive moves.

Pidcock launched his attack at 1.8km to go, with Yates leading the response for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Martínez countered with Del Toro glued to his wheel, and inside the final kilometre, Del Toro closed down Pidcock’s advantage to contest the finish, with the pair battling it out over the final 400 metres.

Del Toro said: “I was well protected the whole day and the team did amazing work for me on each lap. I was able to save energy and focus on the last climb where in the end it was decided. I had the strength to close the last attack and win the race. I wasn’t sure I had it until about 50m to go and it’s a great feeling.”

Across the Adriatic, UAE Team Emirates-XRG had another strong day with Rui Oliveira sprinting to second place on Stage 5 of the CRO Race, where Brandon McNulty continues to lead the general classification heading into tomorrow’s finale.

Oliveira came close to glory on a fast and technical run-in to Opatija, narrowly missing out on victory in a reduced bunch finish.

Earlier, with an imperious display on the roads of Croatia’s east coast, McNulty won stage 4 of the CRO Race in style.

The American attacked on the penultimate climb and rode solo to the finish in Labin, picking up UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s 87th win of the season and moving himself into the race leader’s jersey.