The Mexican Isaac del Toro signed a high-level performance in the Tour Auvergne Rhône Alpes by winning the seventh stage after a spectacular battle against the Spanish Juan Ayuso on the demanding ramps of the Colombier Monumental.
The corridor of UAE Team Emirates He crossed the finish line alone after responding with authority to Ayuso’s distant attack, achieving a victory that keeps him fully in the fight for the title. frequent classification before the decisive day.
The seventh stage, disputed between La Bridoire and the Colombier Monumental Over a route of 133.6 kilometers, it offered one of the most attractive spectacles of the competition.
When it seemed that Juan Ayuso He had the victory in his hands thanks to an offensive launched several kilometers from the goal, the Mexican’s strength appeared to neutralize the difference and end up attacking at the exact moment.
Isaac del Toro22 years old, crowned the emblematic French ascension alone and calmly celebrated a victory that confirms his great moment of form on European territory.
The cyclist from Ensenada completed the stage with a time of 3:41:41 hours, ahead of Ayuso by 25 seconds.
This is how the stage classification was
Behind the two protagonists of the day, the Norwegian Tobias Halland Johannessen finished third 38 seconds behind, while the American Matteo Jorgenson He crossed fourth at 41 seconds.
The Belgian Cian Uijtdebroeksof the Movistar Teamcompleted an outstanding performance with fifth position.
For his part, the leader of the race, the Australian Luke Tuckwellmanaged to minimize losses to retain the yellow jersey, although the regular classification was left completely open.
The frequent classification will be defined in the queen stage
The victory of Isaac del Toro further compressed the fight for the title of the Tour Auvergne Rhône Alpes.
In the absence of the queen stage in the Plateau de Solaisonthe main candidates remain separated by a few seconds, which anticipates a decisive day of maximum demand.
Luke Tuckwell continues as leader, but runners like Matteo Jorgenson, Isaac del Toro, Juan Ayuso, Johannessen and Paul Seixas They have a mathematical chance of taking first place.
Paul Seixas’s fall raises concern
The day was also marked by one of the most striking images of the race.
The French Paul Seixasconsidered one of the great promises of international cycling, suffered a spectacular fall more than 90 kilometers from the finish line.
The runner remained on the asphalt for several minutes before getting back on the bike to try to continue in the competition.
Although he managed to finish the stage, visible injuries and physical wear and tear caused concern in the peloton and among French fans.
Isaac del Toro keeps his sights on the yellow jersey
After celebrating his victory, the Mexican made it clear that his common goal remains to conquer the regular classification.
“I wasn’t entirely sure, but I really wanted to win. I don’t think it was my best performance, but I’m very happy. I’m still hungry for successand that is what motivates me for the next races,” commented Del Toro at the finish line.
The Mexican cyclist also highlighted the support received from his teammates. UAE Team Emirates.
“It’s incredible to be in this position. When my teammates start working for me and helping me, it’s a really special feeling. Winning the regular classification here has always been the goal,” he said.
Regarding the victory achieved against Juan Ayusoexplained: “Today we wanted to try something different after how I felt yesterday. For me, facing these long climbs is still quite difficult, but little by little I am getting used to it and I feel better with each race.”
Isaac del Toro dreams of the title in France
With the victory in Colombier Monumental, Isaac del Toro He reaches the last stage as one of the great candidates for the championship.
The closing mountain in the Plateau de Solaison It will define the destiny of a race that remains open and in which the Mexican will seek to complete one of the most important victories of his season.
Keep reading:
– Isaac del Toro abandons the third stage of the Tour of the Basque Country due to injury
– Isaac del Toro started a new adventure in Itzulia 2026, how did stage 1 go?
– Isaac Del Toro makes history: the Mexican wins the Tirreno-Adriatico and conquers the “Tridente” for the first time
