"It is not easy to be a leader in this team": Isaac Del Toro claims his first WorldTour stage race victory at the UAE Tour
Cycling
The 2026 UAE Tour has officially concluded, and Isaac del Toro has won the GC after showing huge dominance. He successfully defended his overall lead during the final stage in Abu Dhabi, securing the biggest general classification victory of his young career.
Del Toro had a fantastic and highly successful week in the Middle East. He won two stages during the race, including a surprise victory on the opening day and a dominant performance on the Jebel Hafeet climb.
During today's final flat stage, the Mexican rider only needed to stay safe in the peloton, and that's exactly what he did. His UAE Team Emirates - XRG teammates controlled the situation perfectly to make sure he kept the leader's red jersey. In the final overall standings, Del Toro finished 20 seconds ahead of Italian rider Antonio Tiberi. Australian Luke Plapp took the final spot on the podium, finishing 1 minute and 14 seconds behind the winner.
Del Toro already has 24 professional victories
A special milestone for Del Toro
Stepping onto the final podium to receive the winner's trophy was a massive moment for the young rider, who was quick to thank his teammates for their hard work. "It is truly special, honestly, to win my first WorldTour stage race," Del Toro said after the finish in quotes gathered by Spazio Ciclismo. "I am super happy with the guys, they helped me a lot. I couldn't be more proud."
He also took a moment to appreciate the spectacular views during the final days of racing. "It was a great feeling riding today in Abu Dhabi, like the other day through the streets of Dubai admiring the skyline. It was emotional for me today and I liked that the race was fast."
Taking the overall win at the UAE Tour is always the ultimate goal for UAE Team Emirates XRG every season. After all, it is their home race. "I will always remember this UAE Tour. Yesterday at Jebel Hafeet, we simply followed the plan," he explained.
He also admitted that leading such a powerful and star-studded squad comes with heavy expectations, which makes the victory even sweeter. "It is not easy to be a leader in this team because everyone is so good," Del Toro concluded. "It is a great satisfaction to win our team's home race."
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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