"Isaac del Toro will have his own Grand Tour in 2026" – Vincenzo Nibali tips UAE prodigy for leadership as The Shark reflects on 2025 season

Vincenzo Nibali has backed Isaac del Toro to take on a Grand Tour leadership role next season, believing the young Mexican is ready to step into the spotlight after another dominant year for UAE Team Emirates - XRG.

In quotes collected by TuttoBiciWeb, the Italian legend offered an in-depth reflection on the 2025 campaign — from Tadej Pogacar’s record-breaking fifth consecutive Il Lombardia victory to the shifting balance of power among the sport’s biggest teams.

Nibali, who once shared the podium and even a breakaway with Pogacar in the twilight of his own career, was full of admiration for the Slovenian’s continued stranglehold on the autumn Classics. “We saw once again Pogacar’s late-season form — his dominance, his team’s control and composure throughout the race. And then that attack... the kind of move the others could only watch,” he told TuttoBiciWeb.

Having witnessed the fervent crowds at the roadside in Bergamo first-hand, the two-time Il Lombardia winner said the enthusiasm surrounding Pogacar’s achievements reflected well on cycling in Italy and the Italian public itself. “The walls of Bergamo and the climb to Ganda were lined with spectators on both sides. It’s fantastic to witness such passion within Italian cycling. It shows that this race still excites the fans and fires up the riders’ will to win.”

Beyond Pogacar’s brilliance, Nibali also highlighted Isaac del Toro’s emergence as one of the season’s most important stories. The 21-year-old played a key support role for Pogacar in Lombardia, helping secure a historic fifth straight win for the Slovenian, but Nibali believes that balance within UAE Team Emirates - XRG will soon shift.

“We saw Del Toro working for Pogacar as he went for that historic record of five Lombardy victories,” Nibali said. “But in the future, with the team’s support, they’ll divide up the calendar a bit more — and in 2026, this young Mexican will have his own Grand Tour as team leader.”

Del Toro’s steady rise has been a major talking point throughout 2025, after his heartbreak at the Giro d’Italia where he lost the maglia rosa to Simon Yates on the penultimate stage over the Colle delle Finestre. Nibali acknowledged that setback, suggesting it was part of UAE’s broader learning curve. “There’s still a question mark over the Giro — a few mistakes were made there — but Pogacar has been on the podium in every Monument this year, as well as his many victories.”

Nibali also shared his admiration for rivals who defined the season. “Van der Poel’s wins at Sanremo and Roubaix were outstanding — he held off Tadej’s attacks with real authority. I expected more from Vingegaard at the Tour de France, but he made up for it at the Vuelta. Hopefully next year we’ll see him at the Giro.”

Among the teams, he singled out XDS Astana as one of the season’s revelations. “They’ve really stepped up — strong all year, and Scaroni has been one of Italy’s best from start to finish.”

When asked about the image of the season, Nibali chose the World Championships in Rwanda as a defining moment. “For me, it’s the most beautiful image of the year — something to frame as both a symbol and an example. It was a gamble, but it paid off. It could be a launchpad for a country that has suffered so much.”

Finally, the Shark of Messina turned his attention to the state of Italian cycling — and the urgent need to rebuild its foundations. “We have to start from the youth level,” he warned. “It’s not easy to find funding, but teams are struggling and if we don’t invest in our young riders, we’ll have no future. The professional scene is wonderful, but without a strong base, there’s no renewal.”

As the 2025 season fades into memory, Nibali’s reflections feel like more than a retrospective — they sound like a roadmap. For Pogacar, it’s a reminder of sustained dominance; for Del Toro, a sign that the torch may soon be passed; and for Italy, a challenge to rediscover the depth that once made it cycling’s heartland.