Mexican Isaac del Toro wins Tour de France stage and backs Pogacar’s lead

Isaac del Toro, the 22‑year‑old Mexican rider for UAE Team Emirates, claimed a historic victory on Stage 2 of the 2026 Tour de France. After a mechanical problem 60 km from the finish, he chased back into the lead group, attacked on the final Montjuïc climb in Barcelona and outsprinted the peloton, becoming the first Mexican stage winner in 36 years. The win gave the Emirates squad a one‑two finish as team leader Tadej Pogacar took second place.

The following day del Toro played a crucial domestique role in Stage 3, launching the final attack that allowed Pogacar to break away and win the stage, securing the yellow jersey. Del Toro finished ninth on the stage and retained fourth place overall, while also keeping the white jersey as the best young rider. His performances have placed him among the top contenders in the early weeks of the Tour and have drawn significant attention in Mexico and the cycling world.

Overall, del Toro’s stage win, his recovery from a bike failure, and his teamwork have reinforced UAE Team Emirates’ dominance in the race and highlighted the rising profile of Mexican cycling on the world stage.