"Tadej is the one, is the only one, so we will see, but for sure Del Toro is a strong guy" - UAE DS Marco Marcato

Comparisons to Tadej Pogacar have begun. Isaac del Toro may have only turned pro this winter, but has already seriously impressed and with last summer's results, it is justifiable for the Mexican to be connected to his teammate.

“It’s too early to say. Tadej is the one, is the only one, so we will see, but for sure Del Toro is a strong guy, and he has the future in front of him. We hope he is still growing," team DS Marco Marcato said following the Mexican's win to Cyclingnews. “We told him that in the case of a reduced bunch sprint, to try to anticipate, and he did it, so it was fantastic work from him."

UAE in fact tried several times to attack in the final kilometers, as the rolling finale provided an opportunity for a late move to succeed. This was exactly was Del Toro did. Without an option for a sprint, the Mexican attacked in the final kilometer. Despite not being a regular sprint, such a victory took the cycling world by surprise, even more so as he is touted as a climber.

“He has already started good here and we knew that he has the potential. He has a talent for sure. Guys that win Tour de l’Avenir normally they’re always good also as a professional," Marcato is aware, with the team having Del Toro under contract for three seasons. "We expect that he’s growing but for sure he shows already he’s there to make a good result. He’s good on the climb but also, he can move well in the bunch, and he sees the race. He can take advantage of that.”

Plenty other riders in the peloton were surely surprised by this victory. Biniam Girmay was among those who shared words on the victor: “I think he had the legs to do that because no one could follow him, even in the sprint we cannot catch him, so for sure it shows how strong he is.”