Simon Yates Ends Giro d’Italia Heartbreak With Glorious Triumph in Rome
Seven years after a crushing defeat at the Giro d’Italia, Simon Yates finally found redemption, crossing the finish line in Rome as a Grand Tour champion once again.
Back in 2018, Yates had the prestigious pink jersey within his grasp before he dramatically faltered on the Colle delle Finestre. On that day, Chris Froome launched an unforgettable 50 mile solo attack, snatching victory as Yates saw his dream slip away on the punishing Alpine climb.
But in 2025, those same mountains became the stage for his redemption. Scaling the 7,146-foot climb with sheer determination, Yates rewrote his story this time staying strong and surging ahead to claim the maglia rosa.
With tears streaming down his face, Yates achieved what had eluded him years before, becoming Britain’s 12th Grand Tour winner since 2012. Only Froome, with his seven Grand Tour titles, sits above him in the British cycling hierarchy.
While names like Sir Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas, and Tao Geoghegan Hart have had their moments, Yates now firmly holds his place among the elite. His 2018 Vuelta win was a major milestone, but it never extinguished his desire to conquer the Giro.
Climbing the brutal Finestre in under an hour a first Yates not only made history but also turned a long-held ambition into reality. He left behind key rivals, including Mexico’s Isaac del Toro and former Giro winner Richard Carapaz, sealing a decisive lead.
“It still hasn’t sunk in. I’m not usually emotional, but I couldn’t stop the tears,” Yates said after his ride, which also dashed the hopes of his twin brother, Adam, who had supported Del Toro for UAE Team Emirates.
Adam Yates took the outcome with grace:
“If anyone had to beat us, I’m glad it was my brother. When someone rides like that whether it’s Pogacar or Simon sometimes you just have to accept it.”
With an average gradient of 9.2% over 11.5 miles, the Finestre remains one of cycling’s most grueling tests. But Yates conquered it and with help from his Visma/Lease A Bike teammate Wout van Aert, he flipped an 81 second deficit into a 1 minute 41 second lead. UAE’s lack of response left even Geraint Thomas confused, tweeting: “What is going on?”
As Simon Yates rode triumphantly into Rome, he didn’t just win a race he cemented his place in British cycling history.
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