Isaac del Toro claimed victory in the second stage of the 2026 Tour de France on Sunday, overcoming a mechanical setback to become the second Mexican rider to win a stage in over three decades. The 22-year-old secured the win on a hilly 202-kilometer route from Tarragona to Barcelona, finishing ahead of his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate and defending champion Tadej Pogacar, who crossed the line second. This result narrowed the overall race leader Jonas Vingegaard’s advantage to six seconds.

Del Toro encountered a puncture with roughly 60 kilometers remaining, which led to a delay caused by miscommunication with his team car, leaving him waiting roadside before receiving a bike change. Despite the setback, he managed to close the gap within 10 kilometers and played a significant strategic role during the final laps on the Côte de Château de Montjuïc circuit in Barcelona.

Pogacar and his teammates worked to control the pace during the concluding climbs, setting the stage for Del Toro’s late attack. In the final kilometers, Adam Yates led out Pogacar for an anticipated sprint, but the Mexican rider surprised rivals by launching a counterattack in the last 700 meters. Del Toro’s move ultimately secured his first stage win at the Tour, a rare achievement for a Mexican cyclist since Raul Alcala’s success in 1990.

Jonas Vingegaard, who had taken the overall lead following his team’s victory in the opening time trial, maintained the yellow jersey despite finishing fourth on the stage. He acknowledged the efforts of his rivals and appeared satisfied with retaining his position atop the general classification.

Following the stage, Del Toro expressed his disbelief and pride, highlighting the significance of the win for himself, his team, and Mexico, especially on the same day that Mexico’s national soccer team competed in the FIFA World Cup round of 16. Pogacar celebrated his young teammate’s success, lifting him in the air at the finish line as the UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad marked a one-two finish.

The Tour is scheduled to continue on Monday with a route from Granollers, Spain, to Les Angles, France. However, a nearby forest wildfire near the finishing area has raised concerns about possible disruptions to the stage. Organizers and teams are monitoring the situation closely as the race progresses.