Isaac del Toro wins eventful stage seven of Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, as Luke Tuckwell keeps yellow

Isaac del Toro claimed a dramatic victory on stage seven of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, conquering the punishing climb to the summit of the Grand Colombier. The 19-year-old Mexican rider, representing UAE Emirates-XRG, timed his decisive attack perfectly, overtaking Juan Ayuso in the final kilometres to secure his first professional win on French soil. Del Toro’s triumph came after a demanding 133.6-kilometre mountain stage featuring six classified climbs and nearly 3,730 metres of elevation gain, underscoring his growing prowess in mountainous terrain. The stage was marked by numerous challenges and setbacks, including multiple rider withdrawals before the start due to crashes and injuries. Notably, French young talent Paul Seixas suffered a significant fall but demonstrated remarkable resilience by rejoining the peloton despite cuts and bruises. However, the efforts took their toll on Seixas, who was eventually distanced on the final climb but still managed to finish seventh, earning applause from the home crowd. The race dynamics shifted frequently, with several breakaways caught and a fierce battle on the Grand Colombier reshaping the general classification. Luke Tuckwell of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe maintained his hold on the yellow jersey despite finishing over two and a half minutes behind del Toro. The Australian rider managed his effort carefully on the steep climb, using his time advantage from earlier in the stage to pace himself and retain a 42-second lead over his nearest rivals. Tuckwell acknowledged the difficulty of the climb and the importance of conserving energy, signalling his intent to continue defending the overall lead in the forthcoming mountain stages. Del Toro’s victory not only boosts his confidence but also propels him up to third place in the general classification, just under a minute behind Tuckwell. His performance highlights his potential as a GC contender, with the young rider expressing hunger for further success and a clear ambition to challenge for the overall title. Meanwhile, the race remains wide open, with several strong climbers and all-rounders poised to make their moves in the remaining stages of this challenging and unpredictable event.