Although he did not go as the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader, Isaac del Toro became the big star of the UAE team at the Giro d'Italia. During the 3-week race, the Mexican proved to be stronger than the two favourites in the lineup, Juan Ayuso and Adam Yates.
In fact, only a bad strategy on stage 20, the Colle delle Finistre, prevented Del Toro from winning the first grand tour of his career. Simon Yates snatched the maglia rosa from him, to give Visma the overall classification. But despite the result, a star was born.
It is a mark of just how impressive a performance it was from the young Mexican, that we are still disappointed by the fact he was 'only' second. But, will we see him at another grand tour this year?
Isaac del Toro was already aiming high, but what he achieved in the Giro at just 21 years old is something most cyclist's can only dream of. For that reason, it's not surprising that fans are eager to see the Mexican compete in a grand tour again. But, unfortunately, that will NOT be at the Vuelta a España 2025, according to Mundo Deportivo.
It seems that UAE Team Emirates - XRG continues to pave the way for Tadej Pogacar, who may want to complete his set of grand tours this year. Right now, the only race on Isaac del Toro's calendar is the Tour of Austria, which will be held from July 7.
What is UAE's plan?
Without Juan Ayuso or Isaac del Toro in the next Vuelta a España, everything points to Pogacar going for glory in the red jersey after the Tour. Can he pull of a Tour-Vuelta double in 2025?
Last year, Joao Almeida already served as Pogacar's domestqiue in the Tour, but he is already performing at a higher level in 2025. The Portuguese rider has won Itzulia and Tour de Romandie so far this year, and is a favourite to win the next Tour de Suisse as well. Overall, if Pogacar does not race the Vuelta, it is likely that Almeida will be given the chance to lead.
To avoid problems, UAE does not want to burden Tadej Pogacar with too many star team members. Remember, Jonas Vingegaard may also be racing at the Vuelta a Espana this year, meaning we get two chapters in the Pogacar-Vingegaard rivalry this summer.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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