L'Alpe d'Huez (France) (AFP) – Tadej Pogacar and Isaac Del Toro crossed the Tour de France finish line arm-in-arm on Saturday, highlighting their special friendship.
Issued on: 25/07/2026 - 18:32
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The UAE Emirates-XRG team-mates then raised their index fingers either side of their racing helmets to replicate Del Toro's signature "bull's horns" celebration.Del Toro had spent most of the last three weeks helping Pogacar to the brink of a record-equalling fifth Tour crown, and the Slovenian had just returned the favour to ensure the Mexican will finish the race on Sunday in third place overall and with the best young rider's white jersey."It really was an epic day, because what Tadej did was simply immense," said UAE team principal Mauro Gianetti.On what was the toughest stage of this year's Tour with more than 5,000 metres of elevation gain and four monstrous climbs, Pogacar had spent most of the last 60km at the front of a group of overall favourites, helping his team-mate defend his position."He concentrated more on helping Isaac save his third pace to put him on the podium (in Paris), and the white jersey, rather than going for another stage win himself," Gianetti said."It really was a brilliant stage and the friendship between Isaac and Tadej is amazing," he added.Pogacar had already won five stages during the Tour, but only after first gifting a stage victory to his 22-year-old team-mate -- on his Tour debut -- on the opening weekend in Barcelona.After that second stage, Pogacar had seemed more happy than he was for any of his own stage wins, falling into his team-mates arms before waving a Mexican flag.
