Isaac del Toro hesitates to extend with UAE as Paul Seixas transfer talks threaten his future role at the team

Cycling
Friday, 31 July 2026 at 23:00
Isaac del Toro
Isaac del Toro accompanied Tadej Pogacar to a Tour de France podium this July as UAE teammate, although it's hard to say who has worked for the other more over the course of three weeks. In any case, this duo is currently set to stay together at the Emirati team at least through 2029 when Del Toro's current contract runs out. But... will that even be true?
The Mexican climber has certainly lived up to the public expectations of a powerhouse in the mountains and a top-tier GC contender over the past two years; first with a second place overall at Giro d'Italia 2025, and now with a further podium at Tour de France.
But it's unclear to what extent does his current contract reflect his status of one of the world's best GrandTour captains.
However the signals from UAE Team Emirates - XRG would point to the 22-year-old being rather undervalued on his current contract - as they reportedly seek to renegotiate its contents and possibly expand its duration to a new decade.
Cycling journalist and transfer expert Daniel Benson points out that Del Toro's side is keeping a status quo regarding these new transfer talks amidst speculations of possible Paul Seixas transfer.

Seixas is the most-wanted man of cycling

The French supertalent finished 4th at the most recent Grande Boucle, just shy of Del Toro's podium position, but certainly did not disappoint the home crowds with his performance. With a contract set to expire at the end of 2027, the 19-year-old has been naturally approached by mutiple teams looking to build legacy around Seixas. And the richest team UAE of course isn't absent from these talks.
Paul Seixas ends the Tour de France in fourth place
Paul Seixas ends the Tour de France in fourth place
We don't need to stress further how packed is the UAE roster already with Pogacar, Del Toro and Joao Almeida as GC leaders - after all it's what caused Juan Ayuso's departure - and the hypothetical arrival of Seixas could threaten the current number two position of Del Toro.

Nothing might happen, in the end

Fortunately for Del Toro, it seems as though Seixas' current team Decathlon CMA CGM is committed to "match any offer" for their French gem, even willing to go as far to show their commitment as to let the 2026 Giro d'Italia runner-up Felix Gall leave for Lidl-Trek at the end of this season.
Thus, Benson concludes that the eventual contract renewal for Del Toro is still most likely set to happen, although it will have to wait for until Seixas confirms his plans beyond 2027. And whether UAE is part of them.
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