PRESS CONFERENCE | UAE's Matxin explains why Pogacar and Del Toro team up at 2026 Tour de France - "This is the perfect moment"

Tadej Pogacar, João Almeida and Isaac del Toro all unveiled their plans for 2026 this Saturday afternoon in Benidorm, at the team's training camp. Whilst Almeida aims for the Giro and Vuelta, the team will experiment with the Pogacar-Del Toro combination at the Grand Boucle. Team manager Joxean Matxin explains why.

The Spanish manager found himself talking to several news outlets including CyclingUpToDate after the main press conferences, and talked regarding several topics that were discussed earlier. Firstly, Pogacar's debut at the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse.

"It's for discovering the new race, the new challenge. He's fighting for the new victory in his palmarès. And take the compromise for a ride, another new race," Matxin said in English, leaving behind his native Spanish. Instead of the Tour Auvergne - Rhône Alps or the Tour of Slovenia, this year he takes on Suisse as his preparation for the Tour, for the first time. 

"This year, Switzerland is only five days, it's another concept of the cycling. I think the organization of Suisse is the Flanders Classics. This is the more concept of the circuit, maybe climbs in the final or laps with climbs instead of one final climb... For this, there is a [time] gap. After Romandie, it's perfect," he explains. 

And it fits in Pogacar's planned schedule perfeectly. "It's perfect for recovery, training camp, Suisse, training camp, and Tour de France". But who will team up with Pogacar and Del Toro in France later on is not yet certain: "For this situation I don't explain all the team, not all riders in the team are at this training camp. Before speaking with the riders and for respect to the riders I don't give the information".  

Of course, Del Toro racing the Tour was one of the big news of the day. Matxin goes on to explain why this has been chosen. "In many cases, I create the calendar, and after speaking 'what do you think, what is your opinion', and ask the riders. But also with 22 years Del Toro, it's better not to give pressure and responsibilities. A lot of the fans, Mexican fans, they see second and ask to win".

"And maybe this is the perfect moment to go to the Tour de France with the light on Tadej and learn, and understand what is the level and the characteristics of the Tour. It's the perfect moment for give him space, one step more. Starting in Vuelta a España, last year in the Giro d'Italia, this year in the Tour de France. It's the perfect road, or the perfect course to Del Toro".

The Mexican has proven a lot over this year, and now he will continue his natural evolution, being guided by Pogacar - whom he rivalled at the Kigali World Championships recently. But combining the schedules in the world's best team is hard, with so many egos and ambitions to manage.

"Always make the calendar in two concepts. Try to win, and always give others space. A lot of the riders have... 'This is for your opportunity, this race, this race, this race, and this [one] is to help the teammates'. This has made a good balance to give the opportunity, for example, for riders similar to Pavel Sivakov. You ask 'today this race is only to help the other teammates'."

Discussing the aftermath of the Tour, Matxin was cautious when talking about what Pogacar may race. "Depends on what is the feeling after the Tour de France, the fatigue. Also, he need more recovery, he need to continue the competition, take the decision within that moment at Tour de France. After the Tour de France, I understand what the situation is". His smaller calendar is also explained by the demands that are required of him for being a top rider. 

"This is important in that moment, give the first place for recovery, mental, and you know. Today, and every race, is two hours of the press conference after, before, the photos... And remaining three hours or two hours every day more than other riders... Make the perfect size, the perfect measures, to make him a good pro with a strong mentality, recovery and have the perfect days for this period".

The World Champion will only begin his season at Strade Bianche, and will opt to stay at home or in Spain until then, recovering mentally from a tough year. "He will train in this area (Costa Blanca, ed.) for good roads, good weather". And in the run-up to the Tour, it's quite a simple plan.

"And after then a training camp before Tour de Suisse, after Tour de Suisse another time to go back to the training camp, then go four of five days to home for family and then go to the Tour de France".