23/08/2024

Isaac del Toro enjoying Grand Tour debut at La Vuelta - " I wouldn't know how to define myself as a rider yet"

One of the most anticipated debuts in a grand tour has been that of Isaac del Toro. The Mexican rider of UAE Team Emirates is one of the great jewels of the future of cycling, and his first time in the Vuelta a España 2024 has generated tremendous expectations both in his country and in the world of the sport in general.

Del Toro arrived at La Vuelta as UAE's third big name after Joao Almeida and Adam Yates, especially after it was confirmed the absence of Juan Ayuso due to tensions between rider and team after the Tour de France. Even so, it was already planned that the young talent from Mexico would compete in the last Grand Tour of the year.

PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2024 stage 7 - Can Wout van Aert win on the same finale where Peter Sagan won his first ever Grand Tour stage?

Now, speaking to AS, Isaac del Toro talks about how he is dealing with the pressure of being the great Mexican hope in cycling, and being in a UAE team as a great future asset for the grand tours: "I just want to be at my level. I have my own goals. I want to enjoy every day," begins the 20-year-old rider.

"In my country, getting ahead in cycling is very difficult, but I don't see myself as an example for the rest of Mexicans, that's a lot of responsibility. I prefer to continue with my work and inspire people," added with an unusually veteran tone an Isaac del Toro who is very clear about his position and his aspirations.

Isaac del Toro's idols to become a great future racer

He has already said it in the past, but in these statements Del Toro has again recalled that Nairo Quintana and Chris Froome are his "references. I've been able to share a bit of racing with them, fortunately. Even so, I wouldn't know how to define myself as a rider yet. I just want to enjoy the bike. Of course, the mountain stages are the ones I like a little bit more".

Del Toro sits 19th in the overall classification into the 7th stage of the race, but only 1:26 minutes away from Primoz Roglic the former red jersey who is now second in the GC. So far so good for the 20-year old who crossed the line first in the peloton during yesterday's uphill sprint into Yunquera.