Isaac Del Toro vows to ride 'full gas' for Tadej Pogacar at Tour de France after overhauling Luke Tuckwell to win Tour Auvergne Rhone Alpes
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Published 14/06/2026 at 21:50 GMT+1
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Isaac Del Toro reserved special thanks for Tadej Pogacar after winning the Tour Auvergne Rhone Alpes - and vowed to go "full gas" for his UAE Team Emirates-XRG team-mate at the Tour de France.
'It's insane' - Del Toro reflects on Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes triumph
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Mexican sealed overall victory with a decisive final-stage attack to overhaul Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), adding to impressive wins at the UAE Tour and Tirreno-Adriatico earlier this season.
It is his third week-long stage race victory of the campaign and the most significant to date. And Del Toro will now head into next month's Tour de France in a support role for Pogacar.
The 22-year-old will be tasked with aiding the Slovenian's bid for a record-equalling fifth title, but judging by his current form, Del Toro continues to embody a rider whose own ambitions are only expanding.
After this landmark win, Del Toro said: "It’s really beautiful. I’m very happy about today. I reconned it a couple of months ago, but until two days ago I didn’t know it was the same climb.
"It was cool to remember that recon with Tadej and to win here today. We fought for it, it’s crazy. I can’t believe it.
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Highlights: Del Toro steals yellow jersey from Tuckwell with stunning Stage 8 victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
"The plan was to have everything under control. After yesterday, I knew everyone would be looking at us. My team-mates did an amazing job, and Pablo [Torres] launched me in a fantastic way.
”I just kept pushing all the way to the finish. But if I had known there were still eight or nine kilometres to go, I wouldn’t have gone. I was in the flow, though, and I’m happy I managed to pull it off.”
The decisive moment came on the final stage, a demanding 120km route from Beaufort to Plateau de Solaison featuring four major climbs.
Del Toro began the day third overall before launching his attack with just over 9km remaining, as the race fractured on the final ascent.
Once clear, he never surrendered control. Spain's Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) attempted to respond four kilometres later and went on to take second on the stage, but Del Toro's gap was already decisive as he powered away from the general classification contenders.
Tuckwell: It will take some time to sink in
Behind them, overnight leader Tuckwell fought to limit losses, finishing eighth on the stage at 1'43'' to secure second overall, 54 seconds behind Del Toro.
Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) dropped to fourth after fading on the final climb, as the standings were reshaped in the closing kilometres.
"I think it will take some time to sink in," said Tuckwell. "I keep improving race on race without doing anything special, just enjoying my time at home.
"No altitude camps, I’ve just been at home in a good mental space and I think that’s making the difference."
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Luke Tuckwell finished second overall, 54 seconds off Isaac Del Toro
Image credit: Getty Images
Del Toro's victory also carried symbolic weight within the UAE camp, coming in a race previously associated with Pogacar's own success and reinforcing the team's depth across stage racing.
"It means a lot to win, not necessarily because it comes after Tadej," Del Toro added. "I have a lot of respect for him, and I just try to be as happy on the bike as he is. I want to try to enjoy this. It’s amazing. Another win."
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- Vollering snatches title from Van der Breggen in final stage
Looking ahead to the Tour de France - which is live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - Del Toro will form part of a formidable squad alongside Florian Vermeersch, Tim Wellens, Nils Politt and Brandon McNulty.
While his primary role will be support for Pogacar, his current form suggests he may still find opportunities of his own if racing circumstances allow. For now, though, his focus is unambiguous, and his priority remains his leader.
Asked about his approach to the Tour, Del Toro remained clear that he would ride "full, full gas" for Pogacar.
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'What a talent!' - Del Toro wins Stage 8 to take yellow jersey
Video credit: TNT Sports
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