Seixas pays dearly for a fall, Del Toro wins big, and everything will be decided on the last day in Dauphiné

Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) took a giant step in the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2026 by winning the demanding seventh stage, finishing at the fearsome Grand Colombier. The Mexican was the strongest among the favorites in a day marked by the fall of Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM), who lost key time in the fight for the general classification.

Seixas' fall and comeback, Del Toro's victory, and everything to decide in the final stage of Dauphiné

After the exhibition of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe in the previous stage, where Maxim Van Gils achieved victory and Luke Tuckwell donned the yellow jersey, the race faced one of its decisive days. With 133.6 kilometers, nearly 4,000 meters of accumulated elevation gain, and a finish at the Grand Colombier, the stage was set for a great duel between Seixas and Del Toro, the two riders who had already shown their superiority the day before.

A fall changes the script of the stage

The day started off with accidents. Even before the decisive battle began, the organization had to delay the start due to a fall during the neutralization. Later, when the race was temporarily neutralized due to gravel on a descent, Paul Seixas suffered a fall shortly after the resumption.

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The young Frenchman was left with visible injuries and had to chase for many kilometers accompanied by several teammates. Although he managed to return to the main peloton before the final big climbs, the extra effort would eventually take its toll.

Meanwhile, a breakaway with names like Laurens De Plus, Carlos Rodríguez, Pello Bilbao, Quinn Simmons, and Valentin Paret-Peintre tried to make their way, although the control exerted by UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Lidl-Trek, and Visma Lease a Bike made it clear that the stage victory would be decided among the general classification contenders.

Ayuso moves first, Del Toro finishes later

The final climb to the Grand Colombier quickly selected the group of favorites. Lidl-Trek increased the pace from the base of the ascent, and yellow jersey holder Luke Tuckwell began to show difficulties. Paul Seixas also started to lose contact with the best.

About five kilometers from the finish, it was Juan Ayuso who launched the first major attack. The Spaniard managed to open a small gap while Isaac Del Toro, Matteo Jorgenson, Tobias Halland Johannessen, and Cian Uijtdebroeks reacted from behind.

However, Del Toro had reserved his best card for the final stretch. With three kilometers to go, he accelerated strongly, left his direct rivals behind, and gradually closed the gap with Ayuso until he reached him. Once connected, he changed pace again and went solo towards victory.

The Mexican crossed the finish line in 3:41:41, celebrating one of the most important victories of his season. Ayuso finished second, 24 seconds behind, while Tobias Halland Johannessen completed the podium for the day.

Behind them, Matteo Jorgenson and Cian Uijtdebroeks lost 41 seconds, while Mattias Skjelmose lost 1:17. The biggest loser was Paul Seixas, who finished seventh, 1:21 behind after a day affected by the fall he suffered in the first half of the stage.

Top 10 - Stage 7 (La Bridoire - Grand Colombier, 133.6 km)

1. Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) – 3:41:41
2. Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) +24”
3. Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) +38”
4. Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike) +41”
5. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Movistar Team) +41”
6. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) +1:17
7. Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) +1:21
8. Cristian Rodríguez (XDS Astana Team) +2:29
9. José Félix Parra (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) +2:31
10. Jan Castellón (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) +2:33

Everything will be decided in the last stage

With one last mountain stage still to be contested, Isaac Del Toro's victory tightens the general classification. Luke Tuckwell retains the yellow jersey with a 42-second lead over Matteo Jorgenson and 49 over Del Toro himself, while Juan Ayuso remains fully in the fight at 1:06. Paul Seixas has a more complicated situation, having lost 1:54 from the lead after today's fall.

General Classification after Stage 7

1. Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) – 25:59:09
2. Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike) +42”
3. Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +49”
4. Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) +1:06
5. Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) +1:33
6. Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) +1:54
7. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) +1:59
8. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Movistar Team) +2:17
9. Cristian Rodríguez (XDS Astana Team) +2:33
10. José Félix Parra (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) +3:02

Everything remains open for the eighth and final stage this Sunday, between Beaufort and Plateau de Solaison (120.1 km), with a start at 13:20 and an expected finish at 16:57. It will be a day very similar to that experienced at the Grand Colombier, with a series of mountain climbs and a finish at one of the most demanding ascents of this edition, the Plateau de Solaison, an ideal setting for the favorites to launch another attack and definitively decide the general classification of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2026.