The Tour podium battle shifted sharply on Sunday after Jonas Vingegaard left the race with a fractured collarbone.
His exit opened the fight behind Tadej Pogačar, while Isaac Del Toro and Paul Seixas intensified their duel for third overall and the white jersey.
Remco Evenepoel also changed the shape of the race with his first Tour de France road stage victory. The Red Bull-Bora-Hangrohe rider beat Pogačar and Del Toro atop the Plateau de Solaison.
The result marked Evenepoel’s strongest mountain display at the Tour. It also strengthened his position before Tuesday’s time trial, where he is expected to gain more time on several rivals.
Tour podium battle turns toward Del Toro
Del Toro began the day seventh overall, 31 seconds behind Seixas. By the finish, the UAE Emirates-XRG rider had erased that margin and moved into third place.
The 22-year-old finished third on the stage, 52 seconds ahead of Seixas. That performance also gave him the white jersey for the best young rider.
Seixas had started Sunday fourth overall after finishing with Del Toro on Saturday. Vingegaard’s withdrawal would have lifted him onto the podium, but Del Toro’s ride prevented that.
The Decathlon CMA CGM rider still finished fourth on the stage and remains fourth overall. At 19, he is the youngest Tour starter since 1937.
Seixas told L’Equipe that he climbed at his own rhythm but felt he hesitated too often. He added that he still finished strongly and remains in contention overall.
Del Toro, meanwhile, showed the value of a Grand Tour background. This is his third three-week race, after finishing second overall at the 2025 Giro and 36th at the 2024 Vuelta.
Seixas has never previously raced more than eight consecutive days. Yet he continues to hold a place near the Tour podium deep into the race.
Pogačar balances stage win chance with team support
Pogačar appeared capable of increasing the pressure on Seixas, and possibly on Evenepoel. Instead, he moderated his attacks to keep Del Toro in contact.
Race radio captured Del Toro asking his leader, “Don’t drop me.” Pogačar then eased rather than pushing clear on the climb.
Evenepoel took advantage and won the stage despite facing two UAE Emirates-XRG riders in the final selection. Pogačar may later view that restraint as costly.
Del Toro praised Pogačar’s support afterward. He said it was “crazy” that the race leader committed himself to helping him.
The Mexican rider also admitted that the final could have gone better. He said the team only needed small improvements to finish the job perfectly.
Crash pain follows Del Toro after Vingegaard fall
Del Toro’s ride came after he crashed in the same incident that ended Vingegaard’s Tour. The Dane abandoned because of a fractured collarbone.
Del Toro described a tricky roundabout and questioned the signaling. He said Visma riders ahead did not take the best option, and others followed.
He then faced an immediate choice. Del Toro said he chose to crash rather than ride into Pogačar.
At first, he felt mostly fine. Later, as the pace settled, pain appeared in his back and left leg.
He still followed the team plan and stayed committed to Pogačar. He said he carried extra pain both mentally and physically during the stage.
Rest day arrives before decisive third week
The peloton now reaches Monday’s second rest day. It gives tired riders a brief chance to recover before the final week.
That pause may matter greatly for both young riders. Del Toro must defend a podium place and the white jersey. Seixas must respond after losing both.
Seixas also dealt with an early puncture after about 30 kilometers on Sunday. He said that effort cost energy, and at this level even seconds matter.
Still, he focused on the positives. He said he has stayed solid, recovered well, and hopes the third week continues the same way.
With Vingegaard gone, Evenepoel rising, and Pogačar still in yellow, the Tour podium battle has become more volatile. Del Toro and Seixas now sit at its center.