"Remco has to go after Del Toro” Belgian expert on the new race dynamic at the UAE Tour

The stage 1 of the 2026 UAE Tour sent a clear signal that the battle for the general classification could be more intense than many had anticipated. In an uphill finish that pushed the pure sprinters out of their usual spotlight, Isaac Del Toro delivered an impressive performance and imposed himself with authority, confirming that he is in excellent form.

Among the attentive observers was Jan Bakelants, who analysed the immediate impact of the young Mexican’s victory and its possible tactical implications for the coming days of racing.

The outcome of the stage was ultimately shaped by the profile of the course itself. The uphill finish was demanding enough to create a selection and clearly favoured the more explosive riders with stronger climbing ability, leaving many sprinters struggling at the decisive moment.

That was exactly what happened with Del Toro. The Mexican rider from UAE Team Emirates - XRG displayed a combination of power and control that allowed him to open a gap on his rivals that no one was able to close.

The victory stood out even more because of the contrast with the approach of some of his main rivals. Remco Evenepoel, one of the leading favourites for the general classification, was poorly positioned during the decisive acceleration and did not respond to the move that defined the stage.

For Jan Bakelants, Del Toro’s triumph is not merely an isolated result, but rather a factor that will make the race more interesting. “Del Toro’s victory immediately creates an interesting dynamic”, he says to wielerkrant.

The former Belgian professional emphasised: “It immediately puts some pressure on Remco Evenepoel’s group. In that 12.2-kilometre time trial, he can easily ride ten seconds faster than Del Toro.”

The individual time trial therefore emerges as the first major point of adjustment in the general classification. With no time bonuses awarded at the finish, every second gained or lost could prove crucial. The advantage Del Toro built on the opening day may not be decisive on its own, but it carries strategic importance in the GC context.

According to Bakelants, the margin created by the Mexican will primarily serve as a defensive cushion rather than a true advantage. “Those ten seconds will compensate for the deficit, not settle everything. That makes the race much more interesting, because Evenepoel is now forced to race more defensively,” he said.

This interpretation opens up a particularly compelling tactical scenario. Instead of a race controlled early on by one of the main favourites, the balance could remain intact for longer, forcing the GC contenders to manage their efforts more cautiously and respond more frequently to their rivals’ moves.