Isaac Del Toro secured a third-place overall finish and the white jersey as the best young rider at the Tour de France, bolstered by decisive teamwork from yellow jersey winner Tadej Pogačar on July 25, 2026. Despite battling illness during the final week of the race, the 22-year-old Mexican rider finished 9:42 behind Pogačar and 3:16 behind runner-up Remco Evenepoel.
Tadej Pogačar’s Super-Domestique Role Secures Podium for Isaac Del Toro
During the demanding mountain stages, UAE Team Emirates teammate Tadej Pogačar sacrificed his own pursuit of a sixth stage win to support Del Toro. According to race reports, Pogačar rode on the front for dozens of kilometers and dropped back to assist Del Toro when Remco Evenepoel attacked in the finale. The duo crossed the finish line together in a forward-facing embrace. Del Toro later admitted to overcoming severe physical struggles, noting that a team-wide illness had impacted his performance during the final three days of the Grand Tour.
Paul Seixas Claims Fourth in Impressive Grand Tour Debut
French rider Paul Seixas finished fourth overall, just over two minutes behind Del Toro, after completing a remarkable debut at 19 years of age. As the youngest starter in the race in 89 years, Seixas logged six top-five finishes across 20 stages while riding for Decathlon CMA CGM. On the final categorized climb of the Col de Sarenne, Seixas pushed the pace for his team before reaching his physical limits and cracking in the finale. Despite missing the podium, Seixas stated that the performance serves as a strong foundation for future Grand Tour campaigns.
Final Stage Outlook in Paris
The 2026 Tour de France concludes with a traditional race around Paris. Both Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel have expressed interest in fighting for the final stage victory. Meanwhile, Isaac Del Toro prepares to celebrate his debut podium finish and white jersey classification alongside his teammates, while Paul Seixas looks forward to racing in front of home supporters in the French capital.