Launching a decisive attack 34 kilometers from the finish in Bad Dürkheim, Mexican cyclist Isaac del Toro secured second place on the queen stage to claim the overall lead at the 2026 Tour of Germany.
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| Foto: Instagram isaac_deltoro_romero1 |
The rain-slicked roads of Rhineland-Palatinate served as the backdrop for another masterclass in tactical awareness and climbing prowess from Mexican cycling sensation Isaac del Toro. Competing in the 2026 Lidl Deutschland Tour, Stage 3 established itself as the queen stage of the race, featuring a grueling 170.8-kilometer trek from Herxheim bei Landau to Bad Dürkheim with over 3,100 meters of cumulative elevation gain.
From the outset, the peloton maintained a punishing pace across the undulating terrain. UAE Team Emirates-XRG executed a precise strategy to protect their leader as the major contenders vied for control on the demanding climbs. The tactical turning point arrived with 34 kilometers remaining when Del Toro launched a blistering attack on the Rotsteig climb, shattering the main group and dropping overnight leader Louis Barré.
The Mexican prodigy quickly bridged the gap to Italian rider Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), forming a two-man breakaway that successfully held off the chasing pack. In the sprint to the finish line in Bad Dürkheim, Pellizzari claimed stage victory in 4 hours, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds, while Del Toro crossed safely in second with the exact same time, securing crucial bonus seconds and optimal positioning.
The stellar performance allowed Del Toro to overturn a six-second deficit, overtaking Team Visma’s Louis Barré to capture the blue leader's jersey. Holding a 52-second advantage heading into Sunday’s fourth and final stage—a 156-kilometer test starting and finishing in Heilbronn—Del Toro stands on the cusp of an extraordinary overall victory in Germany.
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