Imagine this: A rising cycling star, Isaac del Toro, poised to make his debut at the prestigious Tour de France in 2026. But, this wasn't always the plan. Initially, the UAE Team Emirates had a different strategy in mind. They wanted Del Toro to team up with João Almeida at the Giro d’Italia.
"For me, however, it’s a natural and perfect process. The Vuelta in the first year, the Giro d’Italia in the second and the Tour de France in the third," shared team manager Joxean Matxin. He further elaborated that Del Toro would serve as a key mountain support for Tadej Pogacar in France. However, Del Toro's progress this year might just see him vying for a spot on the final podium alongside cycling giants like Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and Florian Lipowitz.
"That’s the right path, don’t you think? And by the way, I’ve already told you that this is more or less my way of working with young riders.” Many expected Del Toro to return to the Giro d'Italia after he was so close to winning it this year, only being overtaken by Simon Yates on the final mountain stage of the race into Sestrières.
"Initially, yes. We thought about it and talked it through. The idea was to send both João Almeida and Del Toro to the Giro d’Italia to try and win it. But then other considerations came into play," Matxin explained. The team considered the immense pressure on the 22-year-old Mexican, given the huge cycling enthusiasm in his country, which, despite its growing passion, doesn't have a deep-rooted cycling tradition.
But here's where it gets controversial... What if Del Toro finished second? For his home nation, anything less than victory might be seen as a disappointment.
Teaming with Pogacar
The pressure is indeed high on Del Toro from his country, and UAE want to continue a positive streak going. Early in the year he will have such opportunities, leading the team at the UAE Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico and Itzulia Basque Country. In the summer, he will also lead the team at the Tour Auverge - Rhône Alpes before heading to the Tour, whilst Tadej Pogacar will be racing the Tour de Suisse instead.
"We shouldn’t put Del Toro in a situation where he has to do something - and we don’t want that either. He has to enjoy cycling, approach every race with passion and calm. Going to the Tour de France now, together with the best rider in the world and the best team in the world, is an opportunity for us," Matxin explains. Only in a team such as UAE would Del Toro have the opportunity, at this point in time, to make his Tour de France debut whilst not being in the spotlight. The World Champion will instead be in this spot, as he looks to take a record-matching fifth yellow jersey.
"Pogacar is not only a benchmark for us, but for cycling as a whole. So having Del Toro in the Tour doesn’t mean responsibility, but trust and experience for the future," the team believes.
However, as Adam Yates did in 2023 (third) and João Almeida did in 2024 (fourth), Del Toro should be in the running himself at the same time. "It’s clear that he won’t just be a domestique. We’re not asking anything of him, except that he’s there. He’s an enormous talent and deserves this opportunity, just as João did before him.”
And this is the part most people miss... The UAE team's decision reflects a strategic approach to nurturing young talent while managing the weight of national expectations. It's a fascinating look at how teams balance ambition, development, and the pressure to win. What do you think about this strategy? Do you agree with the team's approach, or would you have preferred to see Del Toro at the Giro? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
