Isaac del Toro transfer rumours on eve of Tour de France - Three teams reportedly targeting UAE rider ahead of Pogacar yellow bid
Cycling
With the 2026 Tour de France just days away, the transfer market is heating up around one of the peloton’s standout names. According to Italian journalist Beppe Conti of Radiocorsa, as many as three French teams are closely monitoring the situation of Isaac del Toro, one of UAE Team Emirates XRG’s brightest stars and one of the world’s top prospects.
The Mexican will make his debut this year at the Grande Boucle, but in a very defined role: domestique for Tadej Pogacar. That is precisely where the speculation begins. Although Del Toro has shown throughout 2026 that he already has the level to lead almost any WorldTour team, at UAE he will continue to work for the Slovenian, the clear favourite to win another Tour de France.
Beppe Conti did not reveal which teams are interested, but he did state that three French outfits are following the Mexican’s situation very closely. In the absence of official names, the analysis points to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, Groupama - FDJ United and possibly Cofidis, currently in the ProTeam ranks and aiming to return to the WorldTour at the end of the current triennium.
The strategy seems clear. All of them want to gauge how much freedom Isaac del Toro will have at the next Tours de France. On debut, it makes sense that he accepts working for Pogacar, but the picture could change in the coming years if he keeps proving he can fight for Grand Tours.
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The main argument these teams can use to try to convince Del Toro also seems obvious. As long as Tadej Pogacar, still only 27, remains at UAE Team Emirates XRG, it will be almost impossible for another rider to enjoy undisputed leadership at the Tour de France.
The big problem with sharing a team with Pogacar
And that poses a major dilemma for a rider like Isaac del Toro. The Mexican is no longer just a prospect; he has become a genuine star of the peloton. In fact, his level throughout the season even suggests he is already, on performance, the team’s second-best rider, ahead of João Almeida.
For now there is no indication of an imminent exit from the Emirati squad, but the interest of several major teams shows the market is beginning to move around one of the most sought-after riders of the moment.
It is no coincidence that Isaac del Toro has drawn so much attention. His season has been, quite simply, spectacular. The Mexican has won three WorldTour stage races, starting with the UAE Tour, where he also took victories on stages 1 and 6.
Isaac del Toro, a star of world cycling
He then underlined his class by winning Tirreno–Adriatico, adding the win on stage 6. His definitive confirmation came just a few weeks ago at the Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, where he beat several top Tour de France contenders, including Paul Seixas and Juan Ayuso, while also taking stages 7 and 8.
Beyond his wins, Del Toro has also been decisive as Pogacar’s domestique. He finished third at Strade Bianche while working for the Slovenian’s victory, and played a key role in the historic attack on the Cipressa that enabled Pogacar to take his first Milano–Sanremo. Although he crossed the line that day in 110th, his work was crucial to his leader’s success.
Isaac del Toro’s standout results in 2026
| Race | Result |
| UAE Tour 2026 | 1st overall + stage wins on 1 and 6 |
| Tirreno–Adriatico 2026 | 1st overall + stage win on 6 |
| Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes 2026 | 1st overall + stage wins on 7 and 8 |
| Strade Bianche 2026 | 3rd (working for Tadej Pogacar’s victory) |
| Milano–Sanremo 2026 | 110th (key domestique for Pogacar on the Cipressa attack) |
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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