"To be a part of the No 1 team in the world" a 'dream come true' says UAE Team Emirates' prodigy Isaac del Toro

Just 20 years old, Isaac del Toro has already made quite the name for himself with his performance in the last couple of years. In 2024, the Mexican jumps to the World Tour and with UAE Team Emirates no less.

"I’m feeling in really good shape on the back of our team training camp in Spain, which allowed me to ride with my new teammates for the very first time and start to develop those crucial connections and relationships, both on and off the saddle," says del Toro to The National News, having already impressed with a podium finish at the Down Under Classic.

Jumping from youth cycling to a team that can also boast the likes of Tadej Pogacar, Adam Yates and Joao Almeida among other could be daunting. For del Toro however, the prospect is incredibly exciting. "To be a part of the No 1 team in the world, riding alongside guys I was watching on television just a few months ago, is truly a dream come true," he admits. "I feel very proud to be welcomed into this great family. I still have to pinch myself to remind me it’s really happening, but I’m super excited to give my best for this team in every single race in the years to come."

"I am a person who doubts himself a lot, so I began working really hard to ensure I just focus on the things that I could control and doing those to the best possible level," he continues. "This is an attitude I still have to this day, and hopefully, this will allow me to keep developing as a rider as I strive to reach the top of the sport."

So what can we realistically expect from the Mexican wonderkid in 2024? "Looking ahead to 2024 as a member of the best team in the world, my focus is on building things up slowly as I look to keep learning from my teammates and coaches as much as I possibly can," he says, showing his maturity.

"My calendar this year will have a few World Tour races but other than that it will be a number of smaller races which is probably more suited to developing and getting used to this level of racing," del Toro concludes. "In 10 years' time, I hope to be enjoying myself and demanding as much of myself as I am today. I’m desperate to get going, and I can’t wait to perform on the world stage with the UAE flag on my chest."