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Mexican becomes only the second rider from his country to win a Tour de France stage, crossing the line arm-in-arm with teammate Tadej Pogačar as UAE Team Emirates-XRG secures a memorable one-two finish News | Team –5th July 2026 Creating jubilant scenes on the streets of Barcelona, Isaac del Toro won stage 2 of the Tour de France for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Making the moment all the sweeter, Isaac crossed the line arm-in-arm with his teammate, Tadej Pogačar, with the Emirati squad securing first and second over the line. It was a moment that will be remembered for years to come, with the city’s Mexican population showering Del Toro and Pogačar with support after the finish. “Pogi, hermano ya eres Mexicano,” came the chants from those positioned at the UAE Team Emirates-XRG bus, as a delighted Pogačar returned to celebrate with his teammates. Meanwhile, taking to the day’s podium, Del Toro pulled on the white jersey as best young rider, and the green jersey as the leader of the points classification. In winning stage 2 of the Tour de France, he became only the second-ever Mexican to win on the sport’s grandest stage. Adding to the victory of Raúl Alcala in 1990, Del Toro’s win will spark euphoria across a nation that has been captivated by the youngster’s rise. Looking resplendent in the national champion’s jersey, Del Toro surged to the stage 2 win after the exceptional work of his teammates earlier in the day. On the first road stage of this year’s Tour, it was Nils Politt who marshalled the breakaway formation for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, before the likes of Florian Vermeersch and Tim Wellens came to the fore to bring their leaders into the finale. Once on the streets of Barcelona, Pogačar and Del Toro positioned themselves at the head of the peloton, with teammate Brandon McNulty emerging as the day’s MVP. The American led the bunch up the first two ascents of the Côte du Castell de Montjuïc, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake. Thanks to McNulty’s searing tempo, riders were jettisoned from the peloton at a canter, as the UAE Team Emirates-XRG team sat pretty at the front. Once the 28-year-old’s efforts were done, it was over to teammate Adam Yates to produce the final lead-out. Composed but authoritative, Yates went to work with Del Toro and Pogačar in his wheel. By the top of the third and final ascent of the Côte du Castell de Montjuïc, the leading group was reduced to only a handful of the race’s leading contenders. It was from these contenders that Mattias Skjelmose of Lidl-Trek emerged with an opportunist attack. Noting the Dane’s threat, Del Toro immediately jumped to the front of the chasing group and worked hard to reduce the gap. The Mexican was intent on setting up the finish for his teammate and four-time Tour de France champion, Pogačar. However, as the final kick to the finish line approached, it became evident that both Del Toro and Pogačar were the strongest riders on the day. As Del Toro burst around a left-hand bend and accelerated towards the finish, Pogačar let the wheel go. In selfless manner, the Slovenian looked to offer his teammate the chance at a first victory in his debut Tour de France, and none of the team’s rivals had the legs to stop it. As the metres flashed by, Del Toro did not abate, and in the final 50, Pogačar could burst into a smile and put his arm around his teammate. The pair crossed the line in first and second, celebrating the Mexican’s first Tour de France stage victory. Del Toro could scarcely believe what had happened, but Pogačar knew the significance of the moment. The world champion lifted his young teammate into the air, and the onlooking crowd roared in appreciation. It was a moment fitting of the sport’s biggest stage, and in Del Toro and Pogačar, the Tour de France has perhaps the best entertainers working side by side. Their efforts will ensure stage 2 of this year’s race lives long in the memory. Heading into stage 3, Pogačar remains second overall, but cuts his deficit to Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) to just six seconds. Del Toro, meanwhile, has moved up to fourth overall, and now leads the young rider classification. Speaking after the finish, Del Toro could not contain a smile. It was the biggest moment of his career to date. Del Toro: “It means everything. I said before, I am a really privileged guy to be here. You cannot believe how much we work as a team to be here. I had plenty of confidence from the whole team, really this is the work of everybody. My family, my friends when I grow up… I cannot believe what I just did. “This is just insane. I really appreciate being in the same team as Tadej, being in the best team in the world. It gives me all of the emotions, and you cannot believe now how it feels for me, and especially for my country. Everything that is going on is just insane, really, just thank you to my teammates. “We were going super fast [in the final kilometre], we predicted that this could happen. In the top of the climb, I was not able to be on the top position, so then I was able to pass to try and bring back Skjelmose. We make a plan for Tadej! I did it! “But at the end, the gap was bigger, so I just went with the flow to the finish line. These kinds of opportunities don’t come almost ever, and I am super proud to be able to have the level to manage this.” Tour de France 2026 stage 2 results: 1. Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 2. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 3. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull – BORA – Hansgrohe) Tour de France 2026 general classification after stage 2: 1. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) 04h 01' 48'' 2. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +6″ 3. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull – BORA – Hansgrohe) +15″ 6. Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +16″ Meanwhile, at the Sibiu Cycling Tour in Romania, Pablo Torres rode to a strong third-place finish for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The young Spaniard delivered a battling performance on the race’s first summit finish, and now sits third overall. On the day, it was Lorenzo Finn, the under-23 world champion, who took the stage 2 honours for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. Seperating Finn and Torres was Byron Munton of Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, with the trio heading into Monday’s stage 3 occupying the top three positions in the general classification. Crossing the line in sixth was Adrià Pericas, Torres’ UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate. The pair both sit inside the top 10 heading into the final two stages. Torres: “It was a really really hard stage. The start was more of less good but then the last climb was really hard. I tried to do my best, at the end it was third place, so I am happy and tomorrow we will try again.” Sibiu Cycling Tour 2026 stage 2 results: 1. Lorenzo Finn (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) 3:57:51 2. Byron Munton (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling) +9″ 3. Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) Sibiu Cycling Tour 2026 general classification after stage 2: 1. Lorenzo Finn (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) 6:24:12 2. Byron Munton (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling) +36″ 3. Pablo Torres (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +55″
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