At 22, Isaac del Toro became the youngest winner in the history of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. The Mexican rider out-sprinted 19-year-old Paul Seixas to win the 15th edition, the fastest ever run at 41.064 km/h.
A brutal race decided on the final climb
Rain fell steadily over the 16-lap circuit, which packed 4,304 metres of climbing into a damp and punishing afternoon. With 12 kilometres left, Seixas launched a stinging attack on the Côte Camillien-Houde, opening a gap that only Del Toro could close.
The two young riders forged clear over the summit. Seixas attacked again on the steep Pagnuelo pitches inside the final four kilometres, but Del Toro held firm on his rival's wheel.
A sprint that seemed easy
Del Toro waited, then caught Seixas off guard with a decisive surge 200 metres from the line. Defending champion Brandon McNulty finished third at 27 seconds, while Remco Evenepoel recovered from a 40-second deficit to take fifth.
The win places Del Toro on a roll of honour alongside two-time champion Tadej Pogačar and Adam Yates. It continues a breakthrough season that saw him finish third overall at his Tour de France debut and win the Lidl Deutschland Tour in August.
"This 2026 season has been completely crazy," Del Toro told reporters afterwards. "It means a lot to my country, Mexico, to win this race."
Two weeks remain before the World Championships unfold on many of the same Mont-Royal roads.
