“Tadej always tries to give me space and opportunities... but I didn’t take it today” - Isaac del Toro embraces teammate role behind Pogacar at Strade Bianche
Cycling
Behind another devastating victory from Tadej Pogacar at Strade Bianche, teammate Isaac del Toro played one of the most important tactical roles of the race.
The Mexican rider helped shape the decisive phase when Pogacar launched his long-range attack on the Monte Sante Marie sector, controlling moves in the chasing group before ultimately finishing third himself on the Piazza del Campo.
The result underlined both Del Toro’s strength and his commitment to the team plan as UAE Team Emirates - XRG once again dominated the Tuscan gravel.
“I’m very happy with it,” Del Toro said after the finish in conversation with Cycling Pro Net. “We worked with the whole team from the first rider to the last one, and I couldn’t be happier with the day we had.”
Following attacks and protecting Pogacar
Del Toro’s responsibility during the race was clear: remain present in the chasing group and respond to moves that might threaten Pogacar’s advantage after his attack on Monte Sante Marie.
“We needed to follow the attacks and try to make sure the group didn’t get too much speed during the race,” he explained. “So I tried to cover more or less everyone.”
As the race fractured behind Pogacar’s solo effort, Del Toro succeeded in positioning himself in the decisive selection that formed among the strongest riders in the race. “In the end, I managed to be there in the final group when the decisive move happened,” he said. “So I was able to stay there in the finale, and I’m happy with the podium because it’s like an extra result for us.”
A teammate first
Even as the podium came into reach, Del Toro insisted his priorities remained focused on the team leader rather than personal ambition. “Tadej always tries to give me space and opportunities… but I didn’t take it today because I’m here to help,” he said.
The Mexican rider also revealed that Pogacar’s winning move came slightly earlier than anticipated, though the plan quickly became clear once the attack had been launched. “Tadej attacked a bit earlier than expected,” Del Toro admitted. “But I just tried to control the situation behind as much as I could.”
Racing alongside the Slovenian has given Del Toro a close view of one of cycling’s most dominant riders, something he says continues to impress. “He’s a really strong guy,” Del Toro said. “He knows how to ride the bike and how to manage the race. I’m super happy to ride with these strong guys.”
Strong start to the season
The result also marked a promising early-season performance for Del Toro, who confirmed he is already in good form despite the race coming at the start of the campaign. “I feel good,” he said. “Honestly, I can’t complain, and I’m very happy to be here.”
Working alongside Pogacar in such races is still a relatively new dynamic for the young Mexican rider, but he made clear that the relationship inside the team allows space for development while maintaining clear priorities.
“He always tries to give me my space in races like this,” Del Toro explained. “But today I didn’t take the opportunity. I’m here to help him and I’m more than happy to do it.”
Isaac del Toro trains on the gravel ahead of Strade Bianche 2026
Podium behind Pogacar’s masterclass
While Pogacar’s solo victory will dominate headlines from Strade Bianche once again, Del Toro’s performance quietly highlighted the depth of strength inside UAE Team Emirates - XRG.
By covering attacks in the chasing group and still finishing on the podium himself, the Mexican delivered exactly the kind of ride that makes Pogacar’s long-range moves so difficult for rivals to counter.
For Del Toro, the result represented both a successful team mission and a personal milestone. “I’m super proud to be here,” he said.
And on a day when Pogacar once again proved almost untouchable, his teammate’s disciplined ride ensured the world champion’s victory was supported by a UAE presence across the podium as well.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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