“Very smart and mature — it’s as if he’s ten years older": Tim Wellens on Del Toro's standout 2025, life as Pogacar's right-hand man, and dream of Flanders win for himself
Cycling
UAE Team Emirates - XRG’s 2025 campaign will be remembered for dominance across every terrain — and for the arrival of Isaac del Toro as one of cycling’s biggest new GC forces. Speaking to L’Équipe, experienced teammate Tim Wellens has reflected on the Mexican talent’s rapid rise, while lifting the lid on life inside the sport’s winning machine and outlining his own ambitions for the Classics.
Del Toro’s late-season surge was one of the defining storylines of the year, and Wellens admitted he relished lining up alongside him. “Before the Italian races at the end of the season, everyone was tired, but I was really looking forward to racing because I knew we’d be there with Isaac Del Toro,” Wellens recalled. “It was almost certain that he’d win every time. It was incredible to be part of that energy.”
For Wellens, the secret lies in the 21-year-old’s maturity and instinct in the heat of racing. “He is very smart and mature — it’s as if he’s ten years older,” he said. “Even with his team-mates he always knows what needs to be done. After the Giro, he didn’t win, but he still gave something to the team. This kind of thing motivates everyone.”
“We told ourselves, we’re the best” — inside UAE’s winning confidence
UAE were relentless all season, closing in on 100 victories and asserting control at the biggest races. Wellens said that confidence became self-fulfilling.
“Before the GP de Montréal we said: ‘There’s no reason to stress — we’re the best.’ And then we completely dominated the race. I hope the others don’t see it as arrogance, but I can understand if it’s frustrating.”
He also revealed the work ethic driving that success runs deep. “One day we had just flown back from Abu Dhabi, everyone was exhausted, but he still went out training in the blazing heat.”
The Pogacar effect
Wellens pointed out that even with a superstar leader, internal standards remain sky-high. “If I was not in his team, maybe I would get tired of him too. But I see how hard he works. For me, he is the most professional rider on the team, along with Juan Ayuso.”
That culture extends beyond performance metrics — it permeates team spirit. “When Tadej is there, everything is better — the atmosphere is more relaxed, we laugh more and the staff is even more motivated.”
Classics fire still burning
Despite embracing a key support role, Wellens made clear his own ambitions remain. UAE’s 2026 plans could see him heading for the spring with high hopes.
“We are talking about doing a recon for Paris–Roubaix,” he revealed, before underlining that supporting duties don’t stop him racing for podiums when the opportunity comes. “Even when Tadej is there, like at Strade Bianche, I am the last to help him — and I still finished third.”
And while team success remains the first objective, Wellens’ personal dream has never faded. “Of course I dream of winning the Tour of Flanders. But honestly, if I could win any of the Classics, that would already be fantastic.”
Growing leaders, soaring confidence
Del Toro’s brilliance, Pogacar’s presence, and a relentless winning mentality — Wellens paints a picture of a team not merely dominating, but evolving into a dynasty.
For the Belgian, being part of that culture brings clarity: work for greatness, seize your moments, and never stop believing.
And with UAE looking just as hungry for 2026, that dream of Flanders glory is very much alive.
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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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- 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
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