"I saw Chris Froome and Nairo Quintana in the Tour de France and that was what inspired me" - Isaac del Toro opens up on his incredible journey to World Tour cycling

One race into his professional career and Isaac del Toro already looks to be a star, finishing 3rd at the Down Under Classic. But just how did the 20-year-old Mexican end up at UAE Team Emirates?

"The Grand Tours and the World Championships are broadcast in Mexico," he explains in conversation with GCN. "When I was younger, I saw Chris Froome and Nairo Quintana in the Tour de France and that was what inspired me to follow my dream."

The big breakthrough for the Mexican came at the 2023 Tour de l'Avenir. Taking overall victory, he finished in the top-3 of all but one of the final six stages. "After l'Avenir my phone exploded, I received calls at all hours. It was chaotic and I couldn't do things right, I couldn't concentrate on my training and it was a lot to handle," he recalls. "But that's where the talks with the teams began."

Eventually it was the team of Tadej Pogacar, UAE Team Emirates that secured del Toro's signature. "I have a complicated situation because I come from another country and another continent, I still have a lot to learn and I decided to come here because I trust the approach that UAE wants to give me," he explains. "I think coming here is the best decision and I am very happy to be with this team, it is amazing to be able to eat with all of them at the same table!"

"I have so much to learn, everyone has taught me something since I arrived. I have not stopped learning from day one and I have incredible teammates," del Toro concludes.

"I would like to be a good rider, a versatile cyclist, and I would like to dream that in 10 years I will continue to enjoy it as much as I do today."