Del Toro leads the triumphant youth
June 14 th 2026 - 17:26
Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) didn’t complete the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2026, as the French rising star abandoned on the final day of racing, but youngsters prevailed nonetheless at the Plateau de Solaison. Already a winner on stage 7 at the Grand Colombier, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) ruled the final ascent and also claimed the yellow and blue leader’s jersey on the final day. He is the first Mexican winner in the 78 editions of the race. At 22 years and 199 days, he is also the third youngest winner in the history of the event, behind Greg LeMond (21 years and 345 days in 1983) and Louis Rostollan (22 years and 158 days in 1958), but just ahead of Bernard Hinault (22 years and 204 days in 1977). His closest chasers also illustrate the rise of young stars, as 21-year-old Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) managed to hang on to second place of the overall standings. Second on the day, 23-year-old Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) completes the podium.
A breakaway of climbers
Following the withdrawals of Callum Thornley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Stefan Bisseger (Decathlon CMA CGM), Luke Plapp, Alessandro Covi (Jayco AlUla), Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana) and Henri Uhlig (Alpecin-Premier Tech), there are 100 riders remaining in the peloton at the start in Beaufort.
The route quickly takes the riders up the Col du Pré. It is on these slopes that, from kilometre 5, an attacking group begins to form, reaching the summit with eight riders: Laurens De Plus, Carlos Rodriguez (Netcompany Ineos), Léo Bisiaux (Decathlon CMA CGM), Georg Steinhauser (EF Education-Easypost), Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step), Harold Tejada (XDS Astana), Geoffrey Bouchard (TotalEnergies) and Clément Braz Afonso (Groupama-FDJ United), who seizes the opportunity to defend his polka-dot jersey.
The peloton, led by Lidl-Trek, is currently 1’30’’ behind, whilst Kévin Vauquelin (Netcompany Ineos), embarked in a solo chase, is 55’’ behind. He rejoins the group at km 24, whilst Bouchard has been dropped by the breakaway.
Paul Seixas withdraws
The breakaway’s lead grows to 1’45’’ (km 26), but on the climb up Bisanne, UAE Team Emirates-XRG take over from Lidl-Trek to control the gap.
Meanwhile, Paul Seixas decides to abandon the race, hampered by pain following his heavy crash the previous day.
Braz Afonso all but secures the polka-dot jersey as he goes first at the summit, and the peloton’s pace allowed the gap to widen to 2’40’’. The situation proves far less favourable for the breakaway as they reach the Col des Aravis (km 73.4), with a lead of just 40 seconds. The long descent to Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny (km 101.8) gives them some respite, but the situation remains under the tight control of Juan Ayuso’s teammates.
Del Toro flies away, Tuckwell hangs on to the podium
The attackers start the final ascent to Plateau de Solaison (11.3 km at 9.1%) with a lead of 45 seconds. Valentin Paret-Peintre ups the ante. Carlos Rodriguez follows his move. But they can’t resist when Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) attacks 9 kilometres from the summit.
The Mexican climber covers the last 8 kilometres alone and flies to the stage win and the yellow and blue leader’s jersey. Behind him, Ben Tulett (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) set a pace Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) can’t follow.
The group explodes when Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) attacks with just over 5 kilometres to go. Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) tries to react but he crumbles in the final two kilometres. Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) finishes third on the day (+1’02’’), right behind Ayuso (+1’02’’).
With the key support of Maxim Van Gils, Tuckwell crosses the line with a gap of 1’43’’. Enough to finish second overall, 54 seconds behind Del Toro and 23 seconds ahead of Ayuso.
