🇦🇺 @tourdownunder stage 4: With the help of all the team, @ISAACDELTOROx1 finishes safe in the peloton and holds the Leader jersey 🧡 #UAETeamEmirates #WeAreUAE
Isaac del Toro only narrowly held onto his Tour Down Under leader's jersey on Friday. The Mexican rider from UAE-Team Emirates saw Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) close in within one second due to bonuses but managed to retain the orange jersey.
"I'm happy," he revealed in a brief post-race interview. "Saturday will be tough, but I'm glad I still have the jersey for now. On days like this, I prefer not to take too many risks because the next two days are crucial for me. It paid off," he noted.
Saturday leads to Willunga Hill, a longstanding challenging ascent in the Australian WorldTour race. Sunday then brings the ascent to Mount Lofty. "Willunga Hill is a great climb, and I hope I feel good, so hopefully that will be the case," said Del Toro.
Del Toro already lost a competitor on Saturday: Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla) did not start after his crash the day before.
🇦🇺 @tourdownunder stage 4: With the help of all the team, @ISAACDELTOROx1 finishes safe in the peloton and holds the Leader jersey 🧡 #UAETeamEmirates #WeAreUAE