With another stunning victory, Del Toro emerges as Pogacar’s main challenger for Lombardy: "You always want to do better"

Del Toro was unbeatable on the local circuit around Acqui Terme. On Castelletto d'Erro, he managed to drop Bauke Mollema, who eventually finished third. It helped that the climb had already been completed once before. “Yes, of course, if you already know the climb a little better, you have a better idea in your head of what you want to do. It was tough, but thanks to the team, I had nothing to lose. That's why I went for it right from the start.”

There he rode away from the other favorites and closed the gap to the leaders, including Mollema and number two Hirschi. “When the breakaway has such a big lead—and we have no domestiques left because of all our work—I just have to go as hard as possible on the steepest parts. That was the beginning. I gave it my all.”

Halfway up the climb, he caught up with the pair, after which he made his decisive acceleration. “It was hectic because there was always someone in front of me. When I caught up, I knew I had to accelerate again to go solo. Otherwise, it would be a lot more difficult.” He managed to finish solo, crossing the line with a 40-second lead.

Even Del Toro himself did not expect to win so much this year, at only 21 years of age. “This year has been better than expected so far, both for the team and for myself,” says the winner in disbelief. “You always put pressure on yourself, and you always want to do better and be professional. But it has been a super good year. It's not really normal, it's unbelievable.”

On Saturday, Del Toro will line up at the start of the Tour of Lombardy for the first time, and he will do so as one of the top favorites. Of course, most eyes will be on his teammate Pogacar, who could win for the fifth year in a row. But with these legs, the Mexican may be the only one who can threaten him. Will we see a duo time trial to Bergamo?