The Mexican Isaac del Toro had a high-level performance in the Tour Auvergne Rhône Alpes by winning the seventh stage after a spectacular battle against the Spanish Juan Ayuso on the demanding slopes of the Grand Colombier.

The UAE Team Emirates rider crossed the finish line alone after responding with authority to Ayuso's distant attack, achieving a victory that keeps him fully in the fight for the general classification before the decisive day.

Isaac del Toro wins the Grand Colombier

The seventh stage, contested between La Bridoire and the Grand Colombier over a route of 133.6 kilometers, offered one of the most attractive spectacles of the competition.

When it seemed that Juan Ayuso had the victory in his hands thanks to an offensive launched several kilometers from the goal, the Mexican's strength appeared to neutralize the difference and end up attacking at the exact moment.

Isaac del Toro, 22, crowned the emblematic French ascension alone and calmly celebrated a victory that confirms his great moment of form in European territory.

The cyclist from Ensenada completed the stage with a time of 3:41:41 hours, ahead of Ayuso by 25 seconds.

This is how the stage classification was

Behind the two protagonists of the day, the Norwegian Tobias Halland Johannessen finished third at 38 seconds, while the American Matteo Jorgenson crossed fourth at 41 seconds.

Belgian Cian Uijtdebroeks, from the Movistar Team, completed an outstanding performance with fifth position.

For his part, the leader of the race, the Australian Luke Tuckwell, managed to minimize losses to retain the yellow jersey, although the general classification was completely open.

The general classification will be defined in the queen stage

Isaac del Toro's victory further compressed the fight for the Tour Auvergne Rhône Alpes title.

In the absence of the queen stage on the Plateau de Solaison, the main contenders remain separated by a few seconds, which anticipates a decisive day of maximum demand.

Luke Tuckwell continues as the leader, but riders like Matteo Jorgenson, Isaac del Toro, Juan Ayuso, Johannessen and Paul Seixas maintain a mathematical chance of taking first place.

Paul Seixas's fall raises concern

The day was also marked by one of the most striking images of the race.

The Frenchman Paul Seixas, considered one of the great promises of international cycling, suffered a spectacular fall more than 90 kilometers from the finish line.

The runner remained on the asphalt for several minutes before getting back on the bike to try to continue in the competition.

Although he managed to finish the stage, visible injuries and physical wear and tear caused concern in the peloton and among French fans.

Isaac del Toro keeps his sights on the yellow jersey

After celebrating his victory, the Mexican made it clear that his main objective remains to win the general classification.

"I wasn't entirely sure, but I really wanted to win. I don't think it was my best performance, but I'm very happy. I'm still hungry for success, and that's what motivates me for the next races," Del Toro commented at the finish line.

The Mexican cyclist also highlighted the support received from his UAE Team Emirates teammates.

"It's incredible to be in this position. When my teammates start working for me and helping me, it's a really special feeling. Winning the general classification here has always been the goal," he said.

Regarding the victory against Juan Ayuso, he explained: "Today we wanted to try something different after how I felt yesterday. For me, facing these long climbs is still quite difficult, but little by little I am getting used to it and I feel better with each race."

Isaac del Toro dreams of the title in France

With the victory at the Grand Colombier, Isaac del Toro reaches the last stage as one of the great candidates for the championship.

The final mountain on the Plateau de Solaison will define the destiny of a race that remains open and in which the Mexican will seek to complete one of the most important victories of his season.