Could a new star be on the horizon, potentially eclipsing even the legendary Tadej Pogacar? The recent UAE Tour has just wrapped up, and the cycling world is buzzing about Isaac Del Toro. His overall victory in this prestigious WorldTour stage race is a massive triumph for the UAE Team Emirates–XRG squad, and the young Mexican rider himself is understandably ecstatic. Even his seasoned rivals are singing his praises, marveling at the incredible performance he delivered throughout the week.
Del Toro shared his elation, stating, “It’s really special to win my first WorldTour stage race.” He emphasized the crucial support from his teammates, adding, “I’m super happy with the work the guys did — they helped me so much. I couldn’t be prouder.” He described the experience of racing in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with the iconic skyline as a backdrop, as an “amazing feeling” and “emotional on the bike.”
While the final stage saw sprinter Jonathan Milan claim victory, Del Toro's primary focus was securing the overall win. He found the race's high pace exhilarating and declared, “I’ll never forget this UAE Tour.” Reflecting on the decisive Jebel Hafeet climb, he explained, “Yesterday on Jebel Hafeet we simply followed the plan.” He acknowledged the challenge of leading a team with so much talent, but ultimately found immense satisfaction in winning their home race, remarking, “It’s not easy being the leader in this team, because everyone is so good, but it’s a huge satisfaction to win our team’s home race.”
Del Toro is already looking ahead, noting, “I learned a lot during this race, and I’m really happy that the hard work paid off.” He plans to take some well-deserved rest before gearing up for his next major challenges: the Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico. He’s taking a measured approach to his development, stating, “I’m taking my time and building everything step by step.” Despite his ambitious plans, including a potential appearance in the Tour de France later this year, Del Toro is wisely managing expectations.
But here's where it gets controversial... While Del Toro's victory is impressive, the real shocker came from his rivals' assessments. Antonio Tiberi, who finished second overall after a week-long battle with Del Toro, made a bold prediction: “Isaac is a great champion — maybe he can become even bigger than Tadej Pogacar.” He pointed to Del Toro's near-victory in the Giro d’Italia at a remarkably young age last year as evidence of his immense potential.
And this is the part most people miss... Tiberi's comparison to Pogacar, a rider who has already achieved legendary status, is a testament to the extraordinary talent Del Toro is displaying. Tiberi himself was content with his second-place finish, stating, “A week ago I would have signed for second place.” He added, “This final result — together with a stage win — is great, especially at the start of the season. If I can continue like this, I can be ambitious for the rest of the year.”
Meanwhile, Luke Plapp secured third place, expressing his satisfaction with his early-season form. As an Australian, he noted the advantage of showcasing his current fitness, saying, “As an Australian it’s nice to be able to show my form from the summer.” He fondly recalled his podium finish three years prior with Remco Evenepoel and Adam Yates, but acknowledged the increased competition this year, stating, “The field was stronger this year, so I’m proud and happy to be back in the top three.”
So, what do you think? Is Isaac Del Toro destined for greatness, potentially surpassing even Tadej Pogacar? Or is this just early-season hype? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
