Isaac del Toro wins Giro dell'Emilia and will team up with Pogacar at Il Lombardia - "When Pidcock took off, I didn't immediately have the strength to follow him"

Isaac del Toro continues to impress not only at UAE Team Emirates - XRG but in the entire peloton. Today at the Giro dell'Emilia the Mexican has taken yet another win on an already incredible season that includes 14 victories. This was without a doubt one of the top triumphs, close to his residence in San Marino, as he flew up the San Luca climb in Bologna to take the victory ahead of Tom Pidcock.

"It was really nice to win again in Italy. It's a country that has given me so much joy this year and where I enjoy racing. For today's victory, I have to thank my teammates for keeping me ahead," del Toro said in a post-race interview. "I almost gave up in the last two laps, but somehow I managed to push harder and secure the win."

The Mexican saw Adam Yates attack and Jay Vine commit to pushing the pace for a lot of the final kilometers. And throughout the final laps, it seemed as if the likes of Cian Uijtdebroeks, Lenny Martínez - and on the last ascent Tom Pidcock - were stronger. Pidcock attacked in the base of the final ascent and seemed to be riding to victory, but Del Toro had the legs to go on and close the gap on the toughest ramp.

"I think everyone was at their limit in the final stages. The group that formed at the end was very strong, made up of top-level riders. There was a lot of uncertainty, also because no one knew who could win there. When Pidcock took off, I didn't immediately have the strength to follow him, but then little by little I managed to get back within range. I'm very happy."

An explosive sprint at the top of the 2-kilometer long ascent earned the Mexican his 14th victory of the season, an incredible achievement for a 21-year old climber.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport's Ciro Scognamiglio, several sources at the Italian classic have confirmed that Del Toro will be present at Il Lombardia together with Tadej Pogacar. The same will happen at Tre Valli Varesine, but the 21-year old will also race the Coppa Agostoni and Gran Piemonte where he should be one of the main favourites.