Isaac Del Toro knows how to win with style, but when needed he transforms into a domestique worth his weight in gold. On Sunday, the Mexican experienced the best day of his career, securing his first Tour de France stage victory thanks to the help of Tadej Pogacar, and just twenty-four hours later Isaac Del Toro returned the favor in the best possible way.

On the final climb of the third stage, the young UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider imposed a devastating pace, setting the stage for the decisive attack by the Slovenian champion, who claimed the stage victory and, most importantly, seized the yellow jersey from Jonas Vingegaard.

A demonstration of selflessness and strength that confirms how Del Toro, despite being one of the brightest talents in world cycling, also knows how to transform himself into a luxury domestique when the team requires it.

At the end of the stage, Del Toro's smile told the whole story of his satisfaction at having contributed to his captain's success. «It was really beautiful to see him win. With this victory he also took the yellow jersey, so I'm really happy I could give him a hand».

After the gift he received the day before in Barcelona, when Pogacar had controlled the chasers to allow him to win his first stage at the Grande Boucle, the Mexican repaid the favor with a flawless performance.

The third stage was not simple to read even from a tactical standpoint. Del Toro explained how the finale was much more complicated than it might have seemed: «The last part was really tricky. First it was very demanding, then the course flattened out, but it was far from easy to manage».

Perfect terrain to put pressure on the opposition and prepare Pogacar's decisive move. In modern cycling, a moment of distraction is enough to compromise an entire team's work, and Del Toro is perfectly aware of this. «I must always stay focused. If you're not fast enough or lose concentration, a small mistake can quickly turn into an advantage for your opponents».

For this reason the final satisfaction is even greater. «I'm happy that in the end we managed to bring home both the victory and the yellow jersey.»

The Mexican continues to amaze, but remains extremely humble in judging himself: «I'm really proud to be with these guys. They're so strong that my main concern is being able to match their level».

Words that perfectly tell the respect Del Toro has for his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammates. Over the last two days it seemed almost as if Del Toro and Pogacar understood each other without needing to speak. When asked about this special chemistry, the Mexican smiled.

«I don't know... maybe it's our way of racing. We simply try to follow the flow of the race and always maintain momentum».

A complicity that, at least for now, is delivering extraordinary results. «It's working. It's not easy, but I'm really happy to have this dynamic with him and I'm proud to be able to help him». After the long embrace between the two at the end of the Barcelona stage and the new shared success at Les Angles, Del Toro doesn't hide all his admiration for the Slovenian champion.

«For me it's a privilege to race with Tadej. I have no words to describe him. He's truly an exceptional person». But the twenty-two-year-old Mexican immediately broadens the discussion to the entire team. «Everyone here gives 200% and I'm really happy to be part of this group.»

In just two days Isaac Del Toro has shown both sides of a great champion. First that of the outstanding talent capable of securing his first Tour de France stage victory. Then that of the generous domestique, willing to sacrifice every personal ambition to allow Pogacar to claim both the stage and the yellow jersey.

And perhaps that is precisely the secret of UAE Team Emirates-XRG's strength: having champions capable of winning, but also of putting themselves completely at the service of their teammates when the race demands it. Isaac Del Toro, at just 22 years old, is proving he possesses both these qualities. And the Tour de France seems to have found another protagonist destined to leave his mark in the years to come.