“Isaac del Toro is the second-best cyclist in the world” - Lance Armstrong's honest view of the Tour de France so far
CyclingMonday, 06 July 2026 at 10:33
Isaac del Toro again underlined at the Tour de France that he is one of the sport’s breakout sensations. His stage 2 victory not only sent Mexico into raptures, it also drew praise from some of cycling’s most influential voices.
In the latest episode of The Move podcast, Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, and Bradley Wiggins devoted much of their analysis to the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider, whom they see as a piece capable of reshaping the race entirely.
The strongest praise came from Lance Armstrong, who did not hesitate to place the Mexican in the absolute elite of the peloton. “I think he’s the second-best cyclist in the world,” he said on the show, before outlining the huge tactical value he brings to UAE. “If they want to toy with other teams, a rider like Isaac del Toro… if they let him go, they won’t bring him back.”
That claim sums up the respect Del Toro commands among former Tour champions. For Armstrong, the young Mexican stands out not only for his legs, but as a constant threat to any rival who grants him a few metres of daylight.
A display beyond the victory
Beyond the win, the show’s analysis focused on how Del Toro controlled the run-in. Armstrong even wondered whether they had witnessed one of the finest individual performances in memory without looking solely at the result.
“Has there been a more impressive ride without the win?” he initially asked during the discussion, before correcting himself upon recalling that the Mexican did, in the end, raise his arms.
Bradley Wiggins shared that view and highlighted that Del Toro was the true director of UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s tactical masterclass. The Briton explained that the entire finale revolved around the Mexican and the absolute trust Tadej Pogacar placed in him.
Pogacar and Del Toro embracing after the Mexican’s win at the Tour
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All three agreed that the image of Pogacar signaling to Del Toro before the finale was one of the Tour’s most striking moments so far. For Armstrong, the Slovenian was managing two objectives at once: keeping Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel in check while ensuring his teammate could win the stage.
The American described the scene as a rarely seen display of tactical intelligence, with Pogacar constantly monitoring Del Toro’s advantage while holding his main GC rivals at bay.
A tricky day before the triumph
The show also noted that the victory nearly slipped away. Del Toro had mechanical issues less than an hour from the finish and had to stop for a bike change.
The pundits explained that the Mexican even briefly rode against the flow for a few meters to reach the team car and get the right equipment, an utterly exceptional scenario in the middle of the Tour de France.
Bradley Wiggins explained that spare bikes never feel exactly like the primary one, even with identical measurements. The Briton recalled personal experiences to illustrate how crucial it is to get back on the main bike as soon as possible.
Armstrong also noted that Del Toro uses a different setup from most of his UAE teammates, which would have made the whole operation even trickier.
Despite the setback, the Mexican made it back to the peloton and still had the strength to become the key protagonist of the finale.
The connection with Pogacar
One aspect that caught The Move team’s attention was the relationship between Pogacar and Del Toro.
Armstrong highlighted the embrace they shared after the line, an image he read as confirmation of the excellent mood within UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
He explained that Pogacar even kept urging his teammate on in the final metres while tracking Vingegaard’s and Evenepoel’s positions.
For the American, that willingness to forgo a personal win in favour of a teammate sends a powerful message to both the peloton and the team itself.
George Hincapie added that gestures like that lift collective morale and further strengthen a squad that already looks like the Tour’s benchmark.
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The Tour’s big differentiator
During the debate on the general classification favourites, the name Isaac del Toro surfaced repeatedly.
While most still see Pogacar as the prime contender for yellow, Armstrong insisted the Mexican could become the rider who completely tips the race on its head.
His case is simple: whereas other teams have a single clear leader, UAE field a rider who can force rivals into very tough choices.
If Del Toro attacks, opponents must decide whether to chase him or save matches to answer Pogacar later. That dilemma can blow up any plan drawn up by Visma | Lease a Bike or Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe.
Isaac del Toro on the podium at the 2026 Tour de France
Wiggins also expects him to keep rising
Bradley Wiggins was equally impressed by the Mexican’s display and believes he can show an even better version in the high mountains.
The discussion turned to whether a 21-year-old can hold that level over three weeks. However, both Wiggins and Hincapie agreed that Del Toro still has room to grow as the race unfolds.
George Hincapie even argued the Mexican could improve particularly in the Alpine stages, a view backed by the rest of the show’s panel.
A message to the entire peloton
Beyond the stage win, Armstrong believes Del Toro’s performance changes how the rest of the teams will approach the Tour.
The American thinks sports directors can no longer focus solely on controlling Pogacar. They must now also mark any move from the Mexican, whom he sees strong enough to gain time if given the slightest leash.
He closed the show by returning to his opening point: Del Toro is the true “X factor” of the Tour de France.
And while many still view the Mexican as a rising talent, Armstrong left a line that neatly captures the impression after this exhibition: “I think he’s the second-best cyclist in the world.” An assessment that shows just how far Isaac del Toro has moved beyond revelation status to become, in the eyes of some of cycling’s big names, one of the peloton’s most decisive riders.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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- What a Boss!Alexcavalera06-07-2026
- I bet he slowdances!Lobz7706-07-2026
- Yes, I'm going to keep my "wording" cause it's true. Froome and Jonas are the same style cyclists. As for Armstrong and Pogi, you can't compare these two: Pogi is loved from fans all over the world ... Pogi is, for the time being, the second best monument and classics cyclist of all time. Armstrong didn't win even one. Armstrong was doped to the gills, while Pogi is clean, 100%. Capish?mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales06-07-2026
- I watched the last few kilometers over and over again. He is definitely the GOAT!!!MajorPayne06-07-2026
- mjj: thanks for that reminder! I suppose I’m comparing mostly to Ayuso.RidesHills06-07-2026
- Hard to light a candle with a woodie in the way.
Andrew06-07-2026 - There there diddums, no need to cry.Andrew06-07-2026
- I think he gave that word of advice on the team bus.Andrew06-07-2026
- That is similar to what people used to say about those that raced against armstrong no? Are you sure that that is the wording you want to use as there is no indication that Pogi is cheating.Andrew06-07-2026
- I do not like to see uae winning, nothing against Pogi or any of the riders but that country should not be allowed to sponsor a cycling team, be allowed to use cycling to sportswash its abysmal human rights record and its financing of genocide in Africa. Bahrain should also not be there or Jayco Alula.Andrew06-07-2026
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