Isaac del Toro Claims Historic Stage 2 Victory at Tour de France 2024
On Sunday, 1 July 2024, Mexican rider Isaac del Toro of UAE Team Emirates‑XRG snatched a dramatic win on the second stage of the Tour de France, holding off his teammate and defending champion Tadej Pogacar to cross the line first in Barcelona. The victory made del Toro only the second Mexican ever to win a Tour stage, following Raúl Alcalá’s triumph more than three decades ago.
Stage Overview and Key Moments
The 202.5‑kilometre route ran from Tarragona to Barcelona, featuring a rolling profile that culminated in three ascents of the Côte de Montjuïc in the final kilometres. According to the official Tour de France route guide, the stage included 2 800 metres of cumulative climbing, with the final climb averaging a 6.5 % gradient over 1.2 km.
Early in the race, Brandon McNulty set a strong tempo on the first climb for Pogacar, while Jonas Vingegaard’s Visma‑Lease a Bike team stayed sheltered behind Victor Campenaerts. On the second loop of the hill, Pogacar and three UAE teammates moved to the front, but Matteo Jorgenson (Visma‑Lease a Bike) launched a late surge to sit just behind McNulty.
Mechanical Setback and Comeback
With roughly 60 km remaining, del Toro suffered a mechanical problem—a punctured rear tyre. A radio miscommunication left him waiting at the roadside for a spare wheel, costing him valuable time. Despite the delay, he managed to close the gap in just over 10 km after receiving a replacement bike from his team car.
Once back in the peloton, del Toro played a pivotal role in UAE Team Emirates‑XRG’s strategy, helping to control the pace on the final laps of the Montjuïc circuit and positioning Pogacar for the decisive attack.
Team Dynamics and Pogacar’s Role
As the race entered the final 10 km, Adam Yates led Pogacar up the last rise. When Yates began to fade, del Toro launched his own sprint, surprising the chasing group and holding off Pogacar, who finished just a few metres back in second place. The UAE teammates celebrated together, with Pogacar lifting the 22‑year‑old Mexican in a gesture of camaraderie captured by Reuters photographer Gonzalo Fuentes.
Del Toro reflected on the win:
“It really means everything. Like I said, I feel very privileged. The whole team gave me a lot of confidence. I can’t believe I just did it. It’s just crazy. You can’t believe how it feels for me now, especially for the country.”
Implications for the General Classification
Pogacar’s second‑place finish reduced Jonas Vingegaard’s overall lead to six seconds. After the stage, Vingegaard acknowledged the competitiveness of the day:
“It wasn’t an easy day, I don’t think this track is my favorite terrain, so I think I can be pretty happy with keeping the yellow jersey. They did a great job, so they really deserved the win today.”
The tight gap sets up an intriguing battle for the maillot jaune as the race heads into the mountainous stages.
Reactions and Broader Context
Del Toro dedicated his stage win to Mexico, noting the parallel excitement surrounding the national football team’s participation in the World Cup round of 16:
“We have these 11 boys who are giving it their all in football. They are doing great and to be at the same level here in France in the toughest race is like a dream.”
His achievement adds to a growing list of Latin‑American successes in the Tour de France, reinforcing the region’s increasing presence in elite cycling.
Looking Ahead to Stage 3
The race continues on Monday with a 178‑kilometre leg from Granollers, Spain, to Les Angles, France. Organisers have warned that a forest fire near the finish could affect the stage’s routing, and officials are monitoring the situation closely.
For the latest updates, readers can consult the official Tour de France website or follow reputable news outlets such as Reuters and CyclingNews.
