Seoul Gazette - Del Toro too tired to watch Mexico World Cup clash

The 22-year-old led home his team leader Tadej Pogacar for a UAE Team Emirates one-two on the Tour's 169km second stage from Tarragona to Barcelona.

Now, all Mexican eyes will be turned to the World Cup last 16 clash in Mexico City between the co-hosts and England.

All eyes except Del Toro's, though, as the match is due to kick-off at 2:00am Spanish time.

"I think I'm not allowed (to watch the game)," said Del Toro, who became the first Mexican Tour stage winner since Raul Alcala in 1990.

"I would love to see the match but I don't have the energy today to wake up (at 2:00am).

"I'm too tired. Today was full gas but I just wish (them) the best of luck, they are doing a crazy good job and everybody is going like 200 per cent effort so I hope we take this home.

"I know it will be a very hard match but we will see in the morning what the score is."

Del Toro also admitted that a Mexican win at the World Cup would top his own Tour success.

"I think everybody will be pleased about myself," he said.

"But all the people know football in Mexico and they watch and it's part of the culture.

"So, I think for satisfaction, they will be a little bit happier because they understand 100 per cent what's going on and what it means for Mexico.

"It would be one of the best things for the country to win both today (at the Tour) and also after (in the football)."

Del Toro paid tribute to Pogacar, who let his team-mate take the stage two victory on the short steep final Montjuic climb when he looked to have the legs to be able to push on and win himself.

"We are quite proud to have one friend like this in the team," said the Mexican, whose stage victory helped him take the lead in the green points jersey and young rider standings.

"I appreciate a lot his time and how much he wants to perform with us, to be with us, and to help us to be better.

"Thanks to him the sport changed a little bit and also he is pushing everybody to be better.

"I know he doesn't realise these kind of things because it's hard, but I'm super proud to be near to one human being like this.

"It's super nice and you can learn always something about him."

- 'I will just enjoy it' -

Race leader Jonas Vingegaard came home in fourth, just behind Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel, in the same time as the winner.

But the bonus seconds claimed by the top three meant that the Dane's lead in the yellow jersey competition was cut to six seconds to four-time winner Pogacar, with Evenepoel now at 15sec and Del Toro at 16sec.

With another 19 stages still to go, Vingegaard admitted that his team would not be too disappointed to give up the yellow jersey at some point and let another outfit control the pace in subsequent stages.

"As I said yesterday and today, I enjoy every single day in the yellow jersey," said the 29-year-old, who had not worn it since his second overall victory in 2023 before claiming it in Saturday's team time-trial.

"Of course, at one moment, it might be a good thing (to give it up), but for now, I will just enjoy it," added the reigning Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana champion.

N.Hong--SG