Pogacar gifts stage win to teammate Del Toro as Vingegaard keeps Tour de France lead

Stage 2 drama in Barcelona

The 168.5-kilometer stage from Tarragona to Barcelona featured three ascents of Montjuïc castle. A breakaway of three riders (Alex Molenaar, Felix Engelhardt and Frank van den Broek) built a lead of nearly four minutes before being caught with about 30 kilometers remaining. The peloton then splintered on the final climb, leaving a select group of favorites to contest the finish.

Pogacar's gift

On the 700-meter climb to the line, Isaac Del Toro attacked with teammate Tadej Pogacar on his wheel. Pogacar, the defending champion, slowed and placed his arm on Del Toro's shoulder, allowing the 22-year-old Mexican to cross first. Del Toro looked stunned, and Pogacar later celebrated by waving a Mexican flag while warming down.

It means really everything. I'm a very privileged guy. You cannot believe how much work it took to get here.

Overall standings

Jonas Vingegaard retained the yellow jersey, but his lead over Pogacar was trimmed from 12 seconds to six seconds after time bonuses. Remco Evenepoel sits third at 15 seconds, while Del Toro moved up to fourth at 16 seconds. Teenager Paul Seixas is sixth overall at 42 seconds.

Mechanical issue

Del Toro's victory came after he overcame a mechanical problem and a lengthy wait for a bike change earlier in the stage. He becomes the second Mexican to win a Tour stage, after Raul Alcala.

I cannot believe what I just did. To appreciate Tadej, being in the same team as him, and the best team in the world.