Tadej Pogacar admires Isaac del Toro as a remarkable cyclist following a single training session.
Titan rising: Isaac del Toro poised for historic Giro d'Italia victory
Tadej Pogacar, the undisputed best cyclist in the world, has heaped praise on his potential successor at UAE Team Emirates, Isaac del Toro. Del Toro, a 21-year-old Mexican rider, currently leads Richard Carapaz by 41 seconds with four stages remaining in the Giro d'Italia. However, two challenging days in the high mountains lie ahead.
"Isaac is an amazing rider," Pogacar said, according to Alex Carera, Del Toro's agent. Both Pogacar and Del Toro share similarities, including their perpetual smiles on the saddle and their girlfriends who are also professional cyclists. Del Toro's partner, Romina Hinojosa, rides for the Lotto team, similar to Pogacar's girlfriend, Urška Žigart, who races for AG Insurance Soudal.
Del Toro's meteoric rise began with victory at the Tour de l'Avenir in 2023, much like Pogacar did in 2018. It seems a Grand Tour win only two seasons into his professional career may be on the horizon for Del Toro, although much riding remains before that can be confirmed.
"If you have a lead of more than forty seconds with three days to go, you have to believe in it," Carera said, acknowledging the difficulty but expressing optimism. "However, Richard Carapaz is in very good shape and he is a rider with balls. If he is at the start, anything can happen in a stage."
On stage 17, Del Toro remains in the pink jersey after his victory on Wednesday. He lost over a minute to Carapaz on stage 16 but appeared to halt the momentum swinging away from him with the win. The race's final two stages, including a tough ascent over the Colle delle Finestre on Saturday, remain.
Del Toro's success has stirred significant interest back home in Mexico. Carera reported receiving numerous sponsor proposals and television appearance requests. However, he has declined them all, choosing to focus on his responsibilities.
"Isaac is historically significant as the first Mexican cyclist to lead the Giro d'Italia," according to enrichment data. During his debut Giro d'Italia in 2025, he took the pink jersey after a decisive gravel stage in Siena, distancing teammate Juan Ayuso and out-sprinting Wout van Aert to the finish. As of late May 2025, with only two days remaining until the race ends in Rome, Isaac del Toro holds a comfortable 43-second lead over 32-year-old Ecuadorian rider Richard Carapaz of EF Education-EasyPost.
As the Giro d'Italia draws to a close, all eyes will be on Del Toro as he aims to make history for Mexican cycling.
"Isaac del Toro's impressive performance in the Giro d'Italia, leading by 43 seconds over Richard Carapaz with just two days left, highlights his potential in the world of sports."
"Del Toro's success in the Giro d'Italia, being the first Mexican cyclist to lead the race, signifies a significant milestone in sports history for Mexico."
