Updated 05:56AM
The question hanging over Isaac del Toro as he enters 2026 isn’t whether he’s talented – it’s whether his breakout 2025 was a harbinger of sustained success or a fleeting moment. As he prepares to ride alongside Tadej Pogačar for the UAE super team, the 22-year-old faces immense pressure to prove he’s more than just a flash in the pan.
Del Toro’s first major test comes Monday at the UAE Tour, a race he’s approaching with a mix of excitement and responsibility. “I’m really excited to line up for my first UAE Tour. It’s a special race for me, not only because it’s my debut, but because it’s a home race for the team,” Del Toro said this week. “You really feel that sense of pride and responsibility.”
While reigning champion Pogačar fine-tunes his form for the upcoming classics season, Del Toro finds himself unexpectedly thrust into the leadership role for UAE Emirates-XRG at their home race. Emirati officials are reportedly expecting a win from their $60 million squad, placing significant weight on Del Toro’s shoulders. “We’ve prepared really well as a group, and we’re ready to give our best and race aggressively at the UAE Tour,” Del Toro stated, acknowledging the team’s expectations.
Del Toro’s 2025 season was undeniably impressive, racking up 18 victories and earning him comparisons to Pogačar himself. However, questions remain about his consistency at the highest level, particularly after a difficult Giro d’Italia. His performance at the UAE Tour will be a crucial indicator of whether he can translate that success into sustained Grand Tour contention.
The field at the UAE Tour presents a formidable challenge, most notably Remco Evenepoel, who arrives with strong form after joining the Red Bull super team. With Jonas Vingegaard sidelined due to illness and injury, the race is shaping up to be a head-to-head battle between Del Toro and Evenepoel. The course, featuring a time trial and two summit finishes – including a challenging ascent of Jebel Morah – will provide ample opportunity to separate the contenders.
UAE Emirates team manager Joxean Matxín Fernández has expressed confidence in Del Toro’s potential, stating that he “exceeded all our expectations” in 2025 and is poised to take another step forward. However, the team is also tempering expectations, recognizing that Del Toro is still young and developing.
Del Toro’s program for 2026 is designed to provide him with both opportunities and support. After the UAE Tour, he’s slated to compete in Strade Bianche, Tirreno Adriatico, Milan San Remo, Itzulia Basque Country, the Critérium du Dauphiné, and the Tour de France. At the Tour, he will primarily serve as a support rider for Pogačar, gaining valuable experience and learning from one of the world’s best.
The team’s strategy appears to be focused on nurturing Del Toro’s talent and preparing him for a future leadership role, rather than immediately placing the burden of Grand Tour contention on his shoulders. He won’t be leading at the Giro d’Italia this year, a race where a tactical misstep on the Finestre last year proved costly.
Despite his impressive palmarès, some observers note that Del Toro’s 2025 victories were largely concentrated in lower-tier classics. His biggest stage-race win remains the Vuelta a Burgos. The UAE Tour and upcoming races like Itzulia Basque Country and the Dauphiné will be crucial for him to demonstrate his ability to compete with the world’s elite in multi-day stage races.
Del Toro acknowledges the lessons learned from his experiences, including the difficulties he faced at the Giro d’Italia. “I learned quickly after the Giro, and I just tried to manage it as best as I can,” he said. “In the second half of the season, I tried to fix the problems of the Giro and believe more in myself. It was working, so I’ll see if I can do it again.”
The pressure is on Del Toro to deliver for UAE Emirates-XRG, a team that has invested heavily in its roster. His performance at the UAE Tour will not only be a test of his individual capabilities but also a statement of the team’s ambitions for the season. Whether he can rise to the occasion and solidify his position as a future Grand Tour contender remains to be seen.
Del Toro provisional race program for 2026:
UAE Tour
Strade Bianche*
Tirreno Adriatico
Milan San Remo*
Itzulia Basque Country
Critérium du Dauphiné (Tour Auvergne – Rhône Alpes)
Tour de France*
* asterisked races = with Pogačar
