Isaac del Toro steps briefly out of Tadej Pogacar’s shadow: “That’s the idea for 2026”

Isaac del Toro was one of the breakout stories of 2025 — the Mexican sensation of UAE Team Emirates–XRG. At just 21, he won 18 races and came agonisingly close to winning the Giro d’Italia, which naturally means he starts 2026 with a very different status. That is still something the down-to-earth rider from Central America is getting used to, as became clear at his team’s media day.

It was at the end of his press session that Del Toro was asked whether he is “the next big thing” in cycling. “No,” was his short answer. When the follow-up question came — “why not?” — he hesitated and stumbled for words. Team press officer Luke Maguire stepped in with the explanation: he is simply too modest.

Because that’s exactly what he is. As strong as Del Toro is on the bike, his answers remain humble. And yet his role inside UAE Emirates–XRG has clearly changed, evidenced by the fact he will be team leader at the sponsor-important UAE Tour. After that, the Mexican will follow a large part of Tadej Pogacar’s programme, while also getting his own opportunities at Tirreno-Adriatico and Itzulia Basque Country.

At UAE Emirates–XRG, the plan is to let Del Toro develop for a while in Pogacar’s shadow. “The idea is to learn as much as possible from Tadej,” Del Toro confirmed. “In the races, but also outside of them. For the future, that’s really valuable. And I mainly want to try to enjoy my first Tour de France. I’ve already ridden the Vuelta and the Giro once each, so this is a really nice next step.”

“We obviously want to race, but for me it will be more about learning than riding for a result at first,” Del Toro tempered expectations. “As a kid I always dreamed of the Tour, so it’s really special that dream is going to become reality. Especially in the Mexican champion’s jersey.”

That Del Toro — winner of the Tour de l’Avenir in 2023 — would establish himself so quickly even surprised him a little. “Every rider is different, but I didn’t expect I would be this good this quickly. In one-day races and in Grand Tours. What do I enjoy most? I know that about myself, but I’m not going to tell you here.”

In last year’s Giro d’Italia, he learned what it feels like to fight for overall victory in a Grand Tour — with a well-known outcome. “I learned quickly, I can say that,” Del Toro reflected. “You could already see that in the second half of the season, when I believed in myself more. That’s the line I want to continue in 2026.”

Last year he especially racked up wins in the second half of the season — 11 one-day races — but for 2026 only two one-day races are on his early list: Strade Bianche and Milano–Sanremo, both alongside Pogacar. “We want to help Tadej as much as possible to win Sanremo for the first time,” Del Toro said. “But maybe he doesn’t even need me for that.”

First comes the UAE Tour, where Del Toro will lead his team. In a team statement, the Mexican said: “I’m really excited to line up for my first UAE Tour. It’s a special race for me, not only because it’s my debut, but because it’s a home race for the team, and you really feel that sense of pride and responsibility.

“I’ve spent some time reconning some of the main stages, getting familiar with the roads and the key moments, and that’s given me a lot of confidence. The level here will be very high, with some of the best riders in the world on the start line, but we’ve prepared really well as a group and we’re ready to give our best and race aggressively.” He will be supported by Adam Yates, with Jay Vine no longer in the line-up.

And to return to the question from the opening paragraph: does Del Toro see himself as a realistic successor to Pogacar in the longer term? “I hope I can follow in Tadej’s footsteps, but everyone wants that,” he said. “No rush.”