Isaac Del Toro wins the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes with a double victory

Grand Colombier, France – 13 June 2026: Isaac del Toro, the 22-year-old Mexican rider from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, claimed an impressive victory on the 7th stage of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and simultaneously took the lead in the general classification. On the queen stage, starting in La Bridoire and finishing atop Grand Colombier, he launched a successful breakaway attack, dropping Juan Ayuso of Lidl-Trek, who had attacked earlier, in the final kilometres. Del Toro crossed the finish line with a 24-second advantage, delivering an outstanding performance.
The 133.6-kilometre stage, featuring two demanding climbs of Grand Colombier, was one of the toughest of this year’s race. Del Toro demonstrated his climbing ability and tactical intelligence to break away during the decisive phase of the race. Australian Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), despite finishing 11th on the stage, retained the yellow jersey symbolising first place in the general classification. Before the stage conclusion, Tuckwell led his pursuer Matteo Jorgenson by 42 seconds, while Del Toro was third, 49 seconds behind.
The following day, 14 June 2026, Isaac del Toro continued his successful performance: on the eighth stage, which finished on the Solaison plateau, he once again distanced his rivals and secured both the stage victory and the overall title at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Juan Ayuso finished second, while Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) was third. Overall leader Luke Tuckwell was forced to surrender the yellow jersey and finished second in the final classification, 54 seconds behind Del Toro.
Isaac del Toro’s double victory is an important step in his career and highlights his exceptional status in cycling’s climbing disciplines. Ahead of the start of the Tour de France, the young Mexican is showing excellent form. His ability to strike at key moments and consistently build an advantage makes him one of the most promising contenders in upcoming major stage races. Team analysts and cycling fans eagerly await how he will develop on the World Tour calendar and whether he can use his strong results in the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes as a springboard to even greater victories.
Del Toro’s victory at the 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes fits into the recent tradition of talented young riders attracting international attention through their performances. His success, especially on mountain stages, points toward ambitions in major climbing classifications and difficult stages in Grand Tours. The race in France provided him with the ideal platform to establish himself as a top climber and prepare for the new season.