The feat of Isaac del Toro
Isaac del Toro wrote a golden page for Mexican cycling by winning the second stage of the Tour de France. It is the first stage victory for a Mexican since 1990, when Raúl Alcalá achieved it. The 168.5 kilometer route between Tarragona and Barcelona was in the hands of the young rider from UAE Team Emirates XRG.
“This means everything to me. I am privileged to be on this team that has trusted me from the first moment. This is the fruit of the work of the entire team. I can’t believe it. It’s crazy,” declared Del Toro after crossing the finish line.
A team play
The Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, four-time Tour champion, had the opportunity to attack in the final meters, but days before he had already anticipated his intention: “I want him to win it,” he said about his teammate. So he preferred to stay a few centimeters behind, leaving the way clear for “Torito.”
Before the finish line, Del Toro took Pogacar by the arm. They ended up together and embraced each other through tears. A 1-2 for the UAE Team Emirates XRG that remained as a historic postcard.
Current ranking
With this victory, Del Toro occupies fourth place overall, 16 seconds behind the leader, the Dane Jonas Vingegaard. Behind Vingegaard are Pogacar and the Belgian Remco Evenepoel. The competition will conclude on July 26 on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Del Toro’s achievement is not only personal, but a milestone for Mexican cycling, which celebrates a stage triumph after more than three decades. The sports community remains excited by the Mexican’s performance in one of the most demanding events in the world.
