Mexican star finishes the job for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, as Tadej Pogačar retains Vuelta a España lead with third place on stage 2
Sunday 23 August, 2026
Isaac del Toro finished the job on the final day of the Lidl Deutschland Tour, crossing the line as part of the peloton to seal the overall title. The Mexican becomes the first of his countrymen ever to win the general classification in Germany, as he moved UAE Team Emirates-XRG to 67 victories in 2026.
It could have been the stage win as well for Del Toro, who made an audacious attack on stage 4, but the 22-year-old was caught just 50m shy of the line. It was a thrilling finish and one befitting of a great week of racing in Germany, with Del Toro coming out on top from a tough host of rivals.
Stage 4 looked likely to end in a sprint finish, but on the final tough climb of the day, Del Toro made a bold solo attack. It saw the Mexican pull out an advantage of 30 seconds to the chasing pack behind, with the blue jersey going in search of an unlikely but brilliant stage win.
As the kilometres ticked by, the unlikely was beginning to look possible, but Soudal Quick-Step were determined to bring the Mexican to heel.
In the end, Del Toro’s legs were spent and the catch was made just 50m short of the finish line. It had been a daring move and it had almost delivered, but the stage honours went to Paul Magnier of the Quick-Step squad.
Del Toro, meanwhile, was full of a smile, with the 22-year-old knowing he had done enough to secure the overall victory. It is his 11th win of 2026, and his fourth stage race success of the season, following the UAE Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Del Toro: “It was a super nice week ehre. It was fully a crazy experience, and we lived a lot of things this week. I am super happy. The plan was not to go, it was more or less security, but then I see the gap behind and I say, why not? I went full gas, for sure behind the bunch went very fast, but it was a good attempt, I think. It was a close one!
“I am in good shape. I am just happy with the body that I have, the sensations, and I am just living life.”
Lidl Deutschland Tour 2026 stage 4 results:
- Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) 3:37:39
- Danny Van Poppel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) s.t
- Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl-Trek) s.t
Lidl Deutschland Tour 2026 general classification (final) after stage 4:
- Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 17:39:48
- Louis Barré (Visma-Lease a Bike) +53″
- Marc Hirschi (Tudor Pro Cycling) +1:08
