Although he didn’t go as UAE leader, Isaac del Toro became the big star of the UAE team at the Giro d’Italia. During the 3-week race, the Mexican proved to be stronger than the two favorites in the lineup, Juan Ayuso and Adam Yates.
In fact, only a bad strategy on stage 20, the Colle delle Finistre, prevented Del Toro from winning the first grand tour of his career. Simon Yates snatched the maglia rosa from him to give Visma the overall classification. But despite the result, a star was born.
Isaac del Toro was already aiming high, but what he achieved in the Giro at the age of 21 is the height of very few. For that reason, it’s not surprising that fans are eager to see the Mexican compete in a grand tour again, which unfortunately will NOT be the Vuelta a España 2025, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Apparently, UAE Team Emirates XRG continues to pave the way for Tadej Pogacar, whose presence in La Vuelta has not yet been confirmed, but barring a major surprise, it will be. Right now, the only race on Isaac del Toro’s calendar is the Tour of Austria, which will be held from July 7.
What is UAE’s plan?
Without Juan Ayuso and Isaac del Toro in the next Vuelta a España, everything suggests that UAE’s plan will be to see how the Tadej Pogacar – Joao Almeida duo works in the next Tour de France, and then repeat in La Vuelta if the formula is successful.
Last year, Almeida already served as Pogacar’s teammate in the Tour, but he was not at such a good level as this year. The Portuguese has won back-to-back Itzulia and Tour de Romandie, and is a favorite to win the upcoming Tour of Switzerland as well.
To avoid problems, UAE doesn’t want to burden Tadej Pogacar with too many star team members. With him, the hierarchy is more than established. In addition, as Jonas Vingegaard will also go to the Vuelta a España, the UAE team seems to consider that Ayuso and Del Toro will not be the ideal assistants to beat the Dane.
Source: Jorge P Borreguero, at www.ciclismoaldia.es