This is what Evenepoel and Del Toro said before their UAE Tour clash

One day before the start of the seven-day WorldTour race, the Belgian (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe) and the Mexican (UAE Team Emirates–XRG) appeared together at a press conference, alongside Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto–Intermarché), Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) and Joshua Tarling (INEOS Grenadiers).

Most of the attention, however, went to Evenepoel. After winning three races out of three in Mallorca, he also took two stages and overall victory at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. Super form? “Winning more week-long WorldTour races is one of my goals this year,” he said. “The UAE Tour is a first opportunity for that, with a time trial and a couple of mountain stages. The strongest usually wins here.”

Tadej Pogačar won the race in 2025, 2022 and 2021, while Evenepoel was already the best here back in 2023. In 2024, Van Eetvelt took overall victory. “We’re here for the general classification,” Evenepoel continued. “Because my in-laws are Arabic (Evenepoel’s wife is Oumi, ed.), the UAE Tour is a race I like to do whenever it fits my programme. I’m going to try to make it a beautiful race.”

As for Del Toro’s form, there are no race references yet in 2026, as the young Mexican hasn’t pinned on a number this season. Still, based on his 2025 campaign — with 18 victories to his name — expectations are that he will start strongly right away. “I’m looking forward to my first UAE Tour,” Del Toro said. “I feel the pride and responsibility for the team in this home race.”

Del Toro has already reconnoitred several stages and has started to get used to the roads in the Emirates. “That gives confidence. The level here will be very high, with some of the best riders in the world. We’ve prepared well as a group and we’re ready to give everything and race aggressively. I hope to perform well, with the class of Adam Yates by my side.”

“Remco is the favourite, with the palmarès he has,” Del Toro concluded. “I hope to be among the best as well.”