"Del Toro himself?" - Spanish analyst touts UAE rider for Tour de France podium after Auvergne exhibition

Isaac del Toro keeps smashing barriers and stacking up reasons to be seen as one of world cycling’s standout talents. His victory at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes served as another step up in an already illustrious career, and the Mexican rider is a full-on contender for the podium at the upcoming Tour de France.

After his brilliant victory at the Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes 2026, veteran Eurosport journalist and commentator Javier Ares devoted a long analysis on his YouTube channel in which he praised the Mexican without reservation, calling him the strongest rider of the moment and a contender for the Tour de France podium.

Ares opened his reflection with a forceful statement about Del Toro’s level throughout the race:

“We now have Isaac del Toro enthroned as what he is, a true champion who has delivered another formidable exhibition in the last and decisive stage of this Tour de Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, which has laid bare who the strongest rider is right now.”

For the Spanish journalist, the final stage confirmed what had already been clear the day before: Del Toro was clearly superior to all his rivals. The Mexican launched a devastating attack with eight and a half kilometres to go, clawed back the time needed to take the lead, and sealed the overall classification win over Luke Tuckwell and Juan Ayuso.

Ares especially highlighted how the UAE Team Emirates rider executed his move: “He did it in an extraordinary way, first underlining his superb condition.”

The commentator also recalled that there were doubts about the Mexican’s fitness after his absence from competition since Itzulia, but he believes the result dispelled any questions.

Throughout his analysis, Ares repeated that Del Toro was the strongest man in the French race. In his view, not even top-tier riders like Juan Ayuso or Luke Tuckwell could get close to the Mexican’s level.

“He showed yesterday, on that climb to the Grand Colombier, that he was the strongest rider in the race, and he has confirmed it again today.”

The journalist also underlined the authority with which the Mexican faced the decisive moment of the stage: “Isaac del Toro had absolute faith in his legs to begin with, because yesterday he already felt in control.”

Beyond the win in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Ares stressed the outstanding season the Mexican is putting together. He recalled that Del Toro had already taken the UAE Tour and Tirreno–Adriatico, cementing himself as the peloton’s leading emerging reference.

“Isaac del Toro is the new and definitive winner (…) Isaac del Toro had already been knocking on the door, and he has now confirmed it, emphatically too, with two stage wins and the overall of the second major race he has taken.”

He added: “He won the UAE Tour with authority, he won Tirreno–Adriatico with authority, and he has won this race with authority as well.”

One of the most interesting parts of Ares’s analysis was his comparison between Del Toro and the young Frenchman Paul Seixas. The journalist believes both represent the future of world cycling, though he regretted that circumstances prevented a head-to-head this season.

However, when he speaks about the Mexican, his admiration is evident: “They are the two men, the two names who, on their own merits and with dazzling victories too, are knocking at the door of glory.”

Ares also believes Del Toro has evolved enormously after last year’s experiences and has gained a competitive maturity beyond his years:

“Del Toro learned a lot from what happened to him at last year’s Giro and has come back this year with that authority of feeling, yes, a dauphin, obviously, to Tadej Pogacar, but making the most of the three opportunities the season has presented.”

The Eurosport commentator also opened the door to a scenario that seemed unthinkable just a few months ago: seeing Del Toro fight for the podium at the upcoming Tour de France. Although he will be part of Tadej Pogacar’s team, Ares believes the Mexican has the level to aim high if the race circumstances turn his way.

“Isaac del Toro will be, in some way, a rival to his leader and, who knows, maybe even harbour a shot at the podium fight.”

And he later insisted: “Could he want it too, why not, Del Toro himself?” referring to a place on the Tour de France podium.

The veteran journalist’s final assessment leaves no room for doubt. For him, the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2026 has definitively confirmed Isaac del Toro’s step up in class and his status as a major emerging star of world cycling.

“The manifest superiority of Isaac del Toro” was, according to Ares, the race’s key takeaway.

After a week of absolute control and a victory built on two consecutive mountain masterclasses, Del Toro heads into the summer’s main goal with renewed clout. And if Javier Ares made anything clear in his analysis, it is that the Mexican is no longer a promise: he is a reality knocking hard on the doors of cycling history.