Del Toro strikes first in Germany but admits Tour still lingers: 'Mentally, I still need to recover'

“I think my form is very good. I feel good on the bike, but mentally I still need to recover a little,” Del Toro said in his post race flash interview. “We’ll see how this week goes. I’m happy to be back.”

The 22-year-old rider is still working his way back after a demanding Tour de France, where he finished third overall. His return to racing came at the ADAC Cyclassics in Hamburg, but in Germany there was little sign of any physical rust.

Del Toro completed the short 2.6km course in 3:08, beating Paul Magnier by one second. Magnier’s Soudal Quick-Step teammate Laurenz Rex finished third, five seconds behind the winner.

The course offered Del Toro just enough climbing to make the difference. He attacked the uphill section with force and carried his speed well through the descent, although he later insisted he had not taken every possible risk.

“Honestly, I didn’t want to take too many risks,” he said. “I took the corner as safely as possible and then sprinted all the way to the line. I’m very happy that I won.”

Magnier had spent much of the afternoon in the hot seat after setting an early benchmark of 3:10. Several riders threatened his time, but none managed to go faster.

Rex eventually moved within three seconds of his teammate before Del Toro, starting second last, produced the decisive ride.

The conditions were not entirely equal. Del Toro completed his effort on dry roads, while Magnier faced less favourable weather. The Mexican acknowledged that the difference may have worked in his favour.

“It was difficult for everyone, but I won’t lie, I think the weather helped me a little,” he said. “Otherwise Magnier might have been the best. I’m very happy and the team gave me a lot of confidence for those three minutes.”

Whatever advantage the conditions provided, Del Toro still delivered exactly what was expected from one of the main favourites for the overall victory.

Asked whether winning the general classification was now the target, Del Toro did not attempt to lower expectations.

“What else?” he replied.

The challenge changes considerably on Thursday. The first full road stage covers 215km and includes around 3,200 metres of climbing, with a succession of shorter ascents that could encourage an aggressive race.

For Del Toro, it will be the first real test of whether his physical freshness can be matched by the mental energy required to control a stage race.

“On paper it’s difficult here in Germany, but we’ll take it day by day,” he said. “I’m obviously very satisfied that I could win today.”