Giro 2025: Denz wins from breakaway, De Toro still leads

foto: Cor VosNico Denz attacks from the breakaway with 18 kilometres to go and immediately opens up a solid gap. Dries De Bondt tries to bridge across, but to no avail. The German powers to a solo victory, while the peloton crosses the line minutes later and Isaac Del Toro retains the pink jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 18th stage 2025 Giro

1. Nico Denz (ger)
2. Mirco Maestri (ita) + 1.01
3. Edward Planckaert (bel) s.t.
4. Filippo Magli (ita) s.t.
5. Alex Edmondson (aus) s.t.
6. Dries De Bondt (bel) s.t.
7. Daan Hoole (nld) s.t.
8. Davide De Pretto (ita) s.t.
9. Nicola Conci (ita) s.t.
10. Larry Warbasse (usa) s.t.

– peloton + 13.51

GC after stage 18
1. Isaac del Toro (mex)
2. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 0.41
3. Simon Yates (gbr) + 0.51
4. Derek Gee (can) + 0.57
5. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 1.57
6. Egan Bernal (col) + 3.06
7. Giulio Pellizzari (ita) + 5.02
8. Einer Rubio (spa) + 6.09
9. Adam Yates (gbr) + 7.45
10. Michael Storer (aus) + 7.46

Race report
In a lively opening phase, Wout van Aert, Kaden Groves and Mads Pedersen are in the mix as the first riders manage to open up a gap. They’re joined by Mathias Vacek, Alessandro Verre, Dorian Godon, Jon Barrenetxea, Dylan van Baarle, Giovanni Lonardi, Yannis Voisard, Diego Ulissi, Filippo Magli, Manuele Tarozzi, Fabio Van den Bossche, Edoardo Zambanini, Dries De Bondt, Stefano Oldani, Andrea Vendrame, Rémy Rochas, Francesco Busatto, Mirco Maestri, Felix Engelhardt, Rick Pluimers, Edward Planckaert, Daan Hoole, Christian Scaroni, Mattia Bais, Nico Denz, Davide De Pretto, Alex Edmondson, and Nicola Conci.

Just before entering the final circuit, Van Baarle, De Bondt, Maestri, Planckaert, Hoole, Denz, Davide De Pretto, Edmondson, Magli, and Conci slip away. By then, the peloton is already trailing by over 10 minutes.

The second group is happy to let it go, and before long the eleven-man breakaway has built up a solid lead.

With 18 kilometres to go, Denz accelerates and immediately opens up a gap. The German hears the bell for the final lap half a minute before the chasers do.

Denz powers on and wins the stage with a 1-minute lead over the chasers, while the peloton finishes nearly 14 minutes later.

Another interesting read: route 18th stage 2025 Giro d’Italia.