Wout VAN AERT. 10 with honors. In the stage of suffering, victory goes to those who kick pain in the teeth. Wout knows what it means to swallow and digest. He perfectly understands what it means to grit your teeth, get back on the bike, get back on track, deal with your inner self, which often abandons you, turns its back, leaving you in a state of suspension, when you don't quite know where to go. Wout arrived at this Giro with very different ambitions, with very different plans. He endured, again endured, swallowing and being patient, seeking the moment. The instant, the right day to rediscover the path to success. We are dust and to dust we shall return, Wout knows this too, who emerged from the dust in great style.

Isaac DEL TORO. 10. The first Mexican in pink, yet another phenomenon from UAE Emirates XRG. A sumptuous race, with crazy personality and the hunger of a young prodigy. He would want to take everything: stage and jersey. He must settle - so to speak - for the pink jersey. He must settle for having two and a half minutes over Roglic. He's happy, but, as they would say here in Tuscany, don't believe it (translated: not entirely). Things not of a simple talented boy, but of a true champion. Some questioned UAE's tactics. Never could a choice have been more effective: race to break the competition, to put two valuable men in first and second place overall on the eve of a time trial that will also reveal their internal standings. For now, the problems are more for the others than for UAE: now go and catch them if you can.

Giulio CICCONE. 8. Races with great attention and personality. Only risks in the finale with a breathtaking sprint and a hair's breadth from the barriers like a pedal acrobat. An absolutely sumptuous third place, a 5th place in the general classification that puts him at the center of attention in this Giro that has truly begun today. Now Giulio has two weapons at his disposal: condition and fantasy. So much fantasy... Among the big names, he's the one who makes the most considerable leap forward (brilliant, also today, Vacek: 8). In one fell swoop, he gains nine positions. The real test? Tuesday.

Richard CARAPAZ. 7.5. Slyly, slyly, the Ecuadorian also flies on the Sienese gravel. Lots of dust, but he emerges with a smiling face.

Simon YATES. 7.5. Tries to stay in the race's action, in a race that absolutely doesn't suit him, but he survives.

Antonio TIBERI. 7.5. So much effort, so much chasing, so much filing, holding and resisting. He's third in the general classification, on the eve of a time trial that could project him even higher, although for now this is fine.

Juan AYUSO. 7. He struggles, but doesn't give up, doesn't falter. Eighth in the stage, second in the general classification, 1'13" behind his teammate Del Toro, who today is a lion. He, the Catalan, is not a lamb. He knows he can scratch, he knows he has everything to potentially turn the tables. For now, he has positioned himself ideally for a predator: waiting.

Thimen ARENSMAN. 7. At the service of the team, the Dutchman from Ineos (today an absolutely top-level team, vote 8) deserves a standing ovation.

Egan BERNAL. 8. Only gives in at the end, but what a race. What a pleasure to see Egan fighting like in the old days, how beautiful to find an old friend. He's here, fighting with us and this is the most beautiful news. One more reason to say this Giro will be a great Giro.

Adam YATES. 7. No one talks about him, and he lets them talk... He stays there, in the zone, ready for any eventuality.

Giulio PELLIZZARI. 9. He wasn't supposed to do the Giro: but he does it. Oh, how he does it. Pure class, absolute talent, he has the temperament of top-level riders and these guys should be let loose. It's good to test him, make him study the lesson by heart, but when he not only demonstrates he can recite it with ease, let him go, make sure he tells new stories.

Thomas PIDCOCK. 5.5. Everything happens to him, you can't say things are going well, and he always seems in difficulty.

Primoz ROGLIC. 5. He doesn't know the white roads, doesn't understand what it means to pedal on these surfaces and realizes this early, not in the best way. A day to forget quickly, hoping he quickly forgets his wounds.

Brandon MC NULTY. 9. Absolute gladiator. Wounded and battered, he excels in pain: blood flows in his veins and on his skin. Sweat sticks to the dust, his masked eyes are those of a road giant: monument to cycling, monument to cyclists.

Mads PEDERSEN. 8. Again today he dominates, flattening and smoothing Siena's gravel. What work for Ciccone and Vacek, what endurance from the Dane, what stuff this guy is made of.

Lucas HAMILTON. 5. The Australian falls again today and when he doesn't fall, many in the group complain that he's not exactly a cycling dragon.

Milan FRETIN. 6.5. The Cofidis sprinter has quicksilver in his body and a golden sports director named Damiani, who doesn't make precious things, but tactics. Roberto urges his riders to move even if it's not in their nature, he stimulates them to act. Milan is not Jonathan, but Fretin, and he goes off with Dries De Bondt (Decathlon Ag2r), Quinten Hermans and Kaden Groves (Alpecin Deceuninck). A fast group of sprinters: all three more than eager.