Some victories mean more than others. Isaac del Toro already has 30 wins on his palmares, but winning his first stage at the Tour de France with help from teammate Tadej Pogačar in front of hundreds of Mexican fans was a day to remember for the 22-year-old.
He is only the second Mexican rider to win a Tour stage, after Raúl Alcalá won in 1989 and 1990.
“It’s super special, especially because they made me feel like I was in a home race. You cannot believe how special it is to see the flags,” Del Toro said of the Mexican support during the stage.
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Del Toro is flying the flag for Mexico in the Tour de France and has sparked a huge wave of interest in pro cycling at home in recent years.
Mexican sports fans are following the Tour de France and also the FIFA World Cup, with Mexico due to play England in a knockout match late on Sunday.
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Del Toro won’t be able to stay up to see the match, but he cheered on his countrymen.
“I think everybody will be pleased about my win and how we are performing as a country,” he said.
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“All the people know about football in Mexico, and they watch the World Cup; it’s part of the culture. With everything that is happening, it would be one of the best things for the country if Mexico also won at football after my Tour victory.
“I would love to see the match, but I don’t have the energy to wake up during the night. I’m way too tired because today was full gas.
“I just wish the best of luck to the Mexican football team. They’re doing a crazy good job, and everybody is going like. I hope we take this home, but I know it will be a very hard match. We will see in the morning what the score is.”
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The photo finish image of the stage captured the moment when Del Toro and Pogačar celebrated together and pointed at each other after the world champion helped set up his teammate for the win.
“I’m a very privileged guy. If you see this flag, it’s because of me. Someone could feel that as pressure, but for me, it’s a privilege. I’m doing my job the best I can, and this is something really incredible,” Del Toro said.
Del Toro rode on the front on the climb to the finish, setting a high pace for Pogačar. But when the Slovenian knew they were clear of Jonas Vingegaard and in control of the stage victory, he opted to ease up to give Del Toro a deserved first-ever Tour stage victory.
“We’re proud to have a friend like him in the team,” Del Toro said of Pogačar.
“Everybody only has 24 hours in their day, and I appreciate all the time he gives me and how much he wants to perform with us, to be with us, and to help us to be better. Thanks to him, the sport changed a little bit, and he’s pushing everybody to be better.
Del Toro revealed that his victory was not the agreed tactical plan for the stage but a spontaneous gift and gesture from Pogačar.
“Tadej doesn’t want to put pressure on me,” he explained.
“I came here to enjoy the Tour but also to perform at the highest level ever. I’m super happy to be able to win, but for sure it is a gift. I will remember this for the rest of my life.”
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