CONFIRMED: Isaac del Toro leads UAE at Tirreno-Adriatico in search of another top win

UAE Team Emirates - XRG has had plenty of injuries in its roster throughout the opening month and a half of the season which have hampered it, but nevertheless, they go into most races with winning ambitions. At Tirreno-Adriatico, it could be the case that Isaac del Toro will be the winner; and he has been confirmed by the Emirati team.

“This is already my third time coming to Tirreno-Adriatico, and I’m excited for it. Racing in Italy is always a pleasure. The shape is good, and after winning the UAE Tour, in the country of our sponsor, the team’s confidence is high," Del Toro said in a press release.

The Mexican has to go through Strade Bianche first, where the expectations are high after his Giro masterclass in 2025, but his return to leadership is imminent. “We’ve had a great start to the season with plenty of wins. We have quite a few guys out due to injuries, too, unfortunately, but the mood in the team is still good, and we’re hungry for more results.”

Del Toro won the UAE Tour with a brilliant climbing exhibition on Jebel Hafeet, after losing out on Jebel Mobrah against Antonio Tiberi. Now in Italy, and close to his home in San Marino, he will tackle a set of hilly stages that make up for a tricky route in the Italian race.

He will be joined by Jan Christen, who may also be given the freedom to perform, taking into consideration his role in the team; climbers Domen Novak and Felix Grosschartner; puncheurs Benoît Cosnefroy and Kevin Vermaerke; and the team's most recent signing, Luca Giaimi, who is making his World Tour debut.

Del Toro's familiarity with the roads near San Marino could be a tactical masterstroke. The narrow, twisting descents of central Italy often catch out foreign riders, but with the 'Mexican-Sammarinese' leading the charge, UAE will have a local knowledge advantage that could prove decisive during the tricky mid-week stages where the GC is often won or lost on seconds.