Mexican cyclist Isaac del Toro, 22, has rapidly emerged as a rising talent in professional road racing, overcoming early adversity to establish himself on the sport’s biggest stages. Del Toro, who suffered a serious femur fracture during a race in Italy at age 18, spent over two weeks hospitalized far from home and without team support. Despite doubts about his future, he resolved to continue pursuing his cycling career, a decision that has since propelled him onto the global stage.
Currently riding for U.A.E. Team Emirates, del Toro recently demonstrated his resilience and team loyalty during the 2024 Tour de France. In Stage 15, he deliberately crashed to avoid colliding with his teammate and race leader, Tadej Pogacar, after Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard fell and ended his race due to a broken collarbone. Del Toro quickly remounted and finished the stage strongly, maintaining third place in the overall standings going into the final weekend.
Del Toro’s relationship with Pogacar is a notable aspect of his progress in the sport. The pair have developed a close bond through shared time in altitude training camps and cooperative race strategies. Pogacar notably allowed del Toro to take the victory on Stage 2 of the Tour de France in Barcelona, illustrating the mutual support within the team. Del Toro has described these moments as reflective of Pogacar’s character and their strong connection.
Born in Ensenada, Mexico, del Toro began cycling as a child and quickly displayed talent in junior competitions. Limited opportunities in Mexico, which only recently established a national cycling federation, prompted him to relocate to Europe at 14. Settling in San Marino, he joined a small group of young cyclists competing internationally. His breakthrough came under the guidance of U.A.E. Team Emirates sports manager Joxean Fernández, who recognized del Toro’s potential despite modest early results.
Del Toro’s defining moment arrived at the 2023 Tour de l’Avenir, an important race for emerging talent. Employing strategic advice from his team, he won all four jerseys and secured overall victory. This success led to multiple offers from WorldTour teams, with del Toro choosing U.A.E. Team Emirates. His debut in Grand Tours included the 2024 Vuelta a España and the Giro d’Italia, where he wore the leader’s pink jersey until near the end and finished second overall.
Known for his analytical approach to racing, del Toro spends significant time studying past Grand Tour stages and classic races to refine his tactics. He has characterized himself as disciplined and focused, qualities fostered by his family’s support. While his results indicate star potential, del Toro remains focused on his role as a key teammate to Pogacar, emphasizing the importance of team objectives over individual ambitions at this stage of his career.
Del Toro’s rise signals a new chapter for Mexican cycling on the world stage, and his performance in the Tour de France highlights his potential to become one of the leading figures in the sport’s next generation. As cycling’s competitive landscape evolves, del Toro represents both promise and perseverance forged from early hardship and sustained dedication.