Pogacar gave impressive Del Toro advice after failed World Championship plan: "Close the gap step by step"

When Pogacar and Del Toro rode together after the Wall of Kigali, it seemed like a fairy tale was unfolding before our eyes. The two UAE teammates are good friends, and when you see them riding side by side, you can also see that they share a very similar style. When Del Toro attacked hard on the cobbles of the Wall of Kigali, Pogacar did the same.

Ayuso was left behind, and the rest had already been dropped on Mount Kigali. Were the two really going for a 100-kilometer duo attack? Pogacar said he would have liked to, but Del Toro's body was struggling after all the effort. “Isaac told me he had stomach problems during the race,” said the world champion afterwards.

Del Toro confirmed this when he appeared refreshed and well in front of the Eurosport camera in the mixed zone. “Of course, I'm not yet at the level to ride and win a 260-kilometer race. I experienced stomach problems while riding at the front with Tadej. I did come back, but I had to ease off the gas to keep it under control. I really struggled.”

Del Toro was thus taken along for another lap, but 66 kilometers from the finish, Pogacar went solo. Del Toro fell back into the chasing groups. From there, he still managed to finish seventh. “I wanted to show something today and end the World Championships without any regrets. I wanted to compete, and my two teammates gave their all and were dedicated.”

“I wanted to show that we were here to compete for the victory,” Del Toro said boldly. That didn't happen, but his phase around Mount Kigali and Wall of Kigali was impressive. “The level of the riders on the podium today was incredible. I'm proud that I fought hard; it's been a long time since Mexico has performed so strongly in an event of this level.”

“I'm proud,” concluded Del Toro, who, of course, broke through this year with all those days in the pink jersey in the Giro d'Italia, a stage win, and second place on the final podium. Since that podium finish in Rome, he has won no fewer than eleven (!) races, showing that he was not affected by missing out on the Giro victory. That went to Simon Yates (Visma | Lease a Bike).

To compete for victories in the biggest races of 2026, Pogacar offered his younger teammate some advice after the World Championships. “He told me that I have to keep improving and work hard. I congratulated him on his victory and incredible performance. Tadej is someone I admire and respect, and I will do my best to close the gap step by step.”

“But that will be very difficult,” he concluded, with a sense of understatement.