Grand Colombier, France – 13.06.2026: Isaac Del Toro, the 22-year-old Mexican from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, delivered an impressive performance by winning the 7th stage of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes cycling race and simultaneously securing the overall victory. On the queen stage starting in La Bridoire and finishing at the summit of Grand Colombier, he executed a successful breakaway during which he distanced the early starter Juan Ayuso from Team Lidl-Trek in the final kilometers. Del Toro crossed the finish line with a 24-second lead, making a strong statement.
The 133.6-kilometer stage was one of the toughest of this year’s edition, featuring two demanding climbs of the Grand Colombier. Del Toro showcased his climbing skills and tactical acumen to break away during the decisive phase of the race. Despite finishing eleventh, Australian Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) defended his Yellow Jersey, symbolizing the overall race lead. Before the end of the stage, Tuckwell was 42 seconds ahead of his chaser Matteo Jorgenson, while Del Toro stood in third place overall with a 49-second deficit.
The following day, June 14, 2026, Isaac Del Toro continued his winning streak: on the eighth stage, which finished on the Plateau de Solaison, he once again distanced his rivals and claimed both the stage win and the overall victory at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Juan Ayuso took second place, followed by Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) in third. Overall leader Luke Tuckwell relinquished the Yellow Jersey and ultimately finished second in the final standings, 54 seconds behind Del Toro.
Isaac Del Toro’s double victory represents a significant milestone in his career and underscores his exceptional status as a climber. Just before the start of the Tour de France, the young Mexican appears to be in top form. His ability to strike in critical moments and steadily increase his lead makes him one of the most promising contenders for the upcoming grand tours. Team analysts and cycling fans alike are eagerly watching to see how he develops further in the World Tour calendar and whether he can use his strong results at the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tour as a springboard for even greater successes.
Del Toro’s triumph at the 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes fits into a recent tradition of talented young riders making a name for themselves internationally with their performances. His success, especially on mountain stages, shows that his focus is clearly on the major mountain classics and challenging stages in grand tour events. The race in France provided him with an ideal platform to establish himself as a top climber and to prepare for the forthcoming season despite strong competition.