ABU DHABI, UAE – Isaac del Toro of UAE Team Emirates-XRG secured his first WorldTour stage race victory at the UAE Tour on Sunday, finishing the final stage in Abu Dhabi safely and cementing his overall lead. The 22-year-old Mexican rider finished ahead of Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) and Luke Plapp (Jayco-AlUla), successfully defending the crown previously held by teammate Tadej Pogačar in 2025.
The win has prompted UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s team principal and CEO, Mauro Gianetti, to describe del Toro as a “visionary,” highlighting the rider’s rapid development and ability to overcome setbacks. Gianetti pointed to del Toro’s performance at the 2024 Giro d’Italia, where a strong Visma team ultimately prevailed, as a pivotal learning experience. “Isaac is not a promise anymore, he’s a reality,” Gianetti told Cyclingnews. “We notice the reaction after an incredible Giro d’Italia last year…we made our mistake, but how he’s come back after that special moment to win again and again, so he was able to turn a page.”
Del Toro’s victory at the UAE Tour follows a strong 2025 season, where he finished third overall in the world rankings and won the Tour Down Under in January. Gianetti noted the parallels between del Toro’s trajectory and that of Pogačar, suggesting both riders possess an innate ability to reach their full potential. “We knew the sizeable numbers were there, so it was only going to be a question of time with Isaac, a little bit like Tadej,” he said.
Gianetti emphasized del Toro’s dedication and work ethic, noting the significant life changes the young rider made to pursue his cycling career. “He invests his life in this job. He left Mexico as a 15 to 16-year-old, following – we can say, not a dream – but following a goal that he had in his life. Since the dreamers stay on the sofa waiting for something happen. He is a visionary and it was his vision to be here now, doing what he’s doing. So he’s an incredible, great champion.”
Whereas acknowledging del Toro’s talent, Gianetti as well pointed to the importance of the support system within UAE Team Emirates-XRG, including teammates, trainers, and nutritionists, in facilitating the rider’s rapid progress. “Someone else, they will maybe take one year more or one year less, but a champion is a champion, and they come on faster,” Gianetti stated. The team’s structure and quality of support have been instrumental in accelerating del Toro’s development.
Del Toro himself expressed his gratitude for the team’s support after a challenging stage 6, where he launched his race-winning attack on Jebel Hafeet. “I was nervous this morning, I felt the responsibility,” del Toro said, according to Tuttobiciweb. “The pressure was there, but especially because I had put it on myself. It wasn’t easy at all to drop everyone and win.”
Looking ahead, del Toro is scheduled to compete in Strade Bianche and other races in Italy, with the prospect of riding alongside Pogačar in those events and making his Tour de France debut in July. Del Toro stated he “will remember this race forever.”
