"As a child, it always felt like a dream, and now it's become part of my journey," says Isaac del Toro as he prepares for his first Tour de France in 2026.
After coming tantalizingly close to securing his first Grand Tour victory at the Giro d’Italia in 2025, del Toro is excited to take on the challenge of the Tour de France, where he will play a crucial role supporting Tadej Pogačar. The reigning world champion is aiming for an unprecedented fifth title, which would tie him with cycling legends.
Riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, del Toro made a significant impact during the 2025 Giro. He surged into the lead during Stage 9 over the challenging strade bianche and maintained that position until a dramatic turn of events on the penultimate day when Simon Yates from Visma-Lease a Bike claimed the pink jersey. Though this was a heart-wrenching moment for del Toro, it showcased his immense potential in Grand Tour racing. Now, as he gears up to support Pogačar in 2026, this experience marks an important step in his development as a cyclist.
In a press conference at the team's training camp in December, del Toro emphasized the importance of learning from his teammates, stating, "The goal is to always be alongside him; it's essential for me to absorb as much knowledge as possible. I want to better understand how these races function for my future in cycling, and I believe this opportunity will greatly benefit me."
At just 22 years old, del Toro is already recognized as one of the most promising talents in the sport. Raised in Ensenada, a coastal city in Mexico, within a family of cyclists, he has been competing in Europe since his junior days, initially with the Mexican A.R.Monex team based in San Marino. His breakthrough came with a stunning victory at the Tour de l’Avenir in 2023, which led to his signing with UAE Team Emirates-XRG the following year.
Del Toro shared with reporters his lifelong ambition to compete in the Tour de France, and he will do so donning the prestigious Mexican national champion's jersey—an honor he earned in October in his hometown. "I always dreamed of being here," he expressed. "As a kid, it was just a fantasy, but now it's a reality. I aspire to race alongside the best and reach that elite level."
Wearing the national champion’s jersey during the Tour is particularly meaningful for him. "It feels very special. I’m not sure if a Mexican rider has ever raced in this jersey at the Tour before. It’s something I’ve aimed for since childhood, and to represent my country like this is incredible. I take great pride in it."
Del Toro plans to kick off his season at the UAE Tour, where he will then join forces with Pogačar for their first race together at Strade Bianche. From there, he will compete in Tirreno-Adriatico, assisting Pogačar in his quest to win Milano-Sanremo, followed by races in Itzulia Basque Country and Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes (formerly known as Dauphiné), leading up to the Tour.
Expectations are that del Toro will balance his role as a support rider while also seizing opportunities to vie for victories in select races. "Some events will be about taking risks and pushing myself to reach new heights this year. I'm looking forward to seeing how everything unfolds, and I feel excited about what’s ahead," he noted.
During the media day, Pogačar also outlined his ambitious 2026 schedule, aiming to add to his Monument wins, especially at Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix, before heading to the Tour de France.
Meanwhile, Portuguese stage racer João Almeida has opted out of the Tour de France, choosing instead to focus on a return to the Giro d’Italia and a bid for the Vuelta a España in 2026.
