As it happened: Yellow jersey changes hands on final day of racing at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes after stunning solo climb

The final stage of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes delivered a dramatic conclusion as the yellow jersey changed hands following a remarkable solo climb on the summit finish at Plateau de Solaison. Luke Tuckwell of Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe entered the day as the race leader, holding a 42-second advantage over Matteo Jorgenson from Visma-Lease a Bike. However, it was Isaac Del Toro of UAE Team Emirates who emerged as the standout performer, securing his second consecutive mountaintop victory and ultimately claiming the overall title in a thrilling finale. The 120-kilometre stage was intensely demanding, featuring over 4,000 metres of elevation gain and four major climbs including the Col du Pré, Montée de Bisanne, and Col des Aravis before the final ascent. The race saw a mix of aggressive tactics, with early breakaways and multiple attacks from the peloton. Despite illness and injuries thinning the field to 99 riders, the competition remained fierce, especially among the general classification contenders. Notably, Del Toro’s strong form, demonstrated in his previous stage win, positioned him as the favourite for the final showdown. Key moments included a seven-rider breakaway early on, featuring the mountains classification leader Clément Braz Afonso, and a series of attacks from GC hopefuls such as Geoffrey Bouchard and Kévin Vauquelin. The Decathlon CMA CGM team earned praise for their resilience, particularly after their leader Paul Seixas battled through a crash the previous day to remain in contention. Meanwhile, the race dynamics kept the overall victory uncertain until Del Toro’s decisive solo move on the final climb, which ultimately secured his triumph. This victory marks a significant milestone for Isaac Del Toro, who not only won his first WorldTour race on French soil but also demonstrated his climbing prowess and consistency over the week. For Luke Tuckwell, the final stage was a tough test of his ability to defend the leader’s jersey at senior level, highlighting the challenges young riders face when stepping up from U23 competition. The Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes once again showcased the depth of emerging talent in professional cycling and set the stage for an exciting season ahead.