Isaac Del Toro took a statement victory on stage 7 of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the race previously known as the Dauphiné, leaving behind the last of his rivals 1,600 metres from the finish on the brutal Grand Colombier finishing climb.
“We wanted to try it after yesterday, with how I feel. It’s kind of hard for me to manage these long climbs, but I get used to it, and I’m going better and better every race," a seemingly-relaxed Del Toro said at the finish, before offering a veiled threat to his rivals and anyone watching, "I think today was not my best performance, but I was up there, so I’m super happy to still arrive in shape and keep going in this direction for sure. I’m still hungry so it’s something that keeps me alive for the next races.”
Del Toro executes his well-practised celebration as he takes victory on stage 7.
It was a tough day out from the start, with attacks off the front enduring for half the stage, the only respite coming on the descent off the Côte de Saint-Maurice-de-Rotherens after just 25 km where the race was neutralised due to loose gravel. Then shortly after the peloton was given the green light to resume racing, pre-race favourite Paul Seixas hit the ground hard and took a few minutes to get going again. The 19-year-old Frenchman made it back to the peloton after a 60-kilometre chase, but bruised and bloodied, his chances of contesting the stage were thrown into serious doubt.
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