“Now he’s more Mexican than me” - Del Toro on his special relationship with Pogacar after UAE stage raids
CyclingTuesday, 07 July 2026 at 10:24
Before leaving the mixed zone after stage three of the Tour de France, Isaac del Toro delivered one of the day’s most emotional moments. The young Mexican, a key piece in Tadej Pogacar’s victory, explained with a smile and clear excitement what it means to share a team with the Slovenian champion, a bond that goes far beyond racing.
Cameras had caught a long embrace between the two both at the finish and the day before. Del Toro, visibly moved, even broke down in tears after crossing the line. Asked what was going through his mind in those moments, the UAE Team Emirates XRG rider did not hide his feelings.
“It’s crazy to share all this with riders like him,” he admitted at the finish. “I’m super proud to be able to finish the job alongside my teammates. The position I’m in now is incredible and I’m trying to enjoy it to the fullest and live every moment.”
The Mexican was decisive again in the finale. His powerful pull in the last kilometres set up Pogacar’s winning attack, an effort that left many analysts speechless and confirmed, once more, the remarkable form of the young rider from Ensenada.
“We can be joking all day long”
Beyond performance, one of the most talked-about moments came when he was asked about the support from his home country. Among the crowd there was again a strong showing of Mexican fans, some visibly emotional as they cheered their star at the Tour.
Del Toro said he had seen them during the stage and acknowledged how much that backing means to him. He even joked when told that Pogacar seemed to have become an idol for Mexican supporters too. “Yes, of course I saw them,” he replied with a laugh. “Now Tadej is more Mexican than I am.”
Their rapport was evident throughout the interview. Asked what makes his relationship with Pogacar so special, especially after the many gestures of warmth the Slovenian has shown since his arrival at the team, Del Toro offered a simple and honest answer.
🗣️ Del Toro reacciona en @Eurosport_ES a la canción del momento y habla de su especial vínculo con Pogacar: "Es más mexicano que yo"#TDF2026 #LaCasadelCiclismo pic.twitter.com/oqUIqRVZzU
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) July 6, 2026
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“I don’t think there’s any special reason,” he said. “As in life, you connect more with some people than with others. It’s not that we’re best friends forever, it’s just that from the moment I joined the team there was a special connection.”
The Mexican stressed that everything happens naturally and that they share a very close bond within the group. “I’m simply myself when I’m with him. I think he understands that perfectly, and we can be joking around twenty-four hours a day. That’s what makes our relationship special.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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