Isaac Del Toro, Third in Tour de France, Emerged from Humble Beginnings

Isaac Del Toro, the 22-year-old Mexican rider currently holding third place in the Tour de France, once shared bunk beds thousands of kilometers from home. His former teammate, Rodolfo Niels Gervasio, remembers Del Toro savoring the simple beauty of small ice cream shops around the rock of San Marino, an enclave in Italy that had become a temporary home for young, uprooted Mexican cyclists.

During the 2023 season, Del Toro faced fierce competition in races around San Marino. Gervasio recounts how rival Italian teams would gang up on him, a tactic that, while frustrating for Del Toro, ultimately honed his ability to launch solo breakaways. "I think it made him used to going off alone, so the others wouldn't play with him," Gervasio said.

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It was a long journey and Isaac was able to savor every moment of this beauty.

Del Toro's current success in the 2026 Tour de France is marked by his elegant, lean physique, described as resembling a flexible cat. His performance has captivated audiences, with his lean frame appearing longer than his 1.80 meters, and his healthy build belying the intense challenges he has overcome. His journey from humble beginnings to a podium contender highlights a remarkable ascent in professional cycling.

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These coalitions really annoyed him. But I think it made him used to going off alone, so the others wouldn't play with him.