Isaac del Toro ain’t going anywhere.
The young Mexican star has committed to a long-term future to UAE Team Emirates-XRG. His WorldTour squad announced he’s signed a contract extension that will keep him with the team through the end of the 2031 season.
Del Toro’s incredible 2026 season
The announcement comes less than two weeks after the 22-year-old enjoyed the biggest result of his career at the Tour de France, where he finished third overall. The Mexican national champ also won a stage and the white jersey.
Del Toro has quickly become one of cycling’s brightest young talents. He come onboard UAE after winning the 2023 Tour de l’Avenir. But this year has been his strongest yet. He’s taken dubs at the UAE Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. And then he had his breakthrough Tour performance.
Sure, his teammate Tadej Pogačar won, as we all know, but the two of them were dominant forces throughout, with Del Toro always at Pogi’s side.
Team feels like home
“I’m very happy to continue this journey with UAE Team Emirates-XRG,” Del Toro said. “From the moment I joined the team, everybody has believed in me. They’ve given me the best environment to develop as both a rider and a person. Every season I’ve learned something new from my teammates and the people working around me, and I feel that I’m improving all the time.”
Del Toro said the atmosphere at the WorldTour squad is one of the reasons he had zero reason to consider going elsewhere.
“This team feels like home. We share the same ambition, the same passion for racing and the same desire to keep getting better,” he said. “Signing long-term gives me a lot of confidence because I know I’m in the right place for my future.”
What’s next for Del Toro?
And though already he’s built an impressive palmarès, the 22-year-old believes there is much more to come. And he’s got a helluva mentor with one of the greatest, if not the greatest, male cyclists of all time.
“We’ve already achieved some amazing victories together. But I honestly believe the best is still to come,” Del Toro said. “I’m excited to keep growing with this team and fighting for the biggest races in the world.”
Although he hasn’t listed what races are next, presumably we will see Del Toro at the road worlds in Montreal, since the tough course definitely suits him. (And of course, the defending champ, Pogačar.)