A Dream in Pink Turns into a Hard Lesson
For nearly two weeks, Isaac del Toro carried the Maglia Rosa, conquering climbs that broke seasoned veterans and outsmarting riders twice his age. The 21-year-old Mexican cyclist seemed destined to win the Giro d’Italia, but on the gravel slopes of the Colle delle Finestre, everything changed.
In a recent interview with GCN en Español, Del Toro opened up about the radio silence that transformed his dream Giro into a painful but powerful lesson.
“That whole day was about not making mistakes,” Del Toro recalled. “They told me I’d have the chance to fight for it, and if I get that chance, I go for it.”
From Siena Glory to the Maglia Rosa
Del Toro’s rise began on Stage 9, the Tuscan gravel stage to Siena, where he battled Wout van Aert for victory. That triumph earned him the pink jersey for the first time, with a 43-second lead over Richard Carapaz and a 1:21 advantage over Simon Yates.
His calculated aggression and calm under pressure defined his Giro. Even deep into the final week, Del Toro continued to impress — winning again on Stage 17 and holding firm as the race approached its defining mountain showdown.
The Finestre Collapse
The turning point came on the legendary Colle delle Finestre, a brutal climb mixing tarmac and gravel. When EF Education–EasyPost ramped up the pace, chaos ensued.
“I didn’t follow straight away,” Del Toro explained. “The Finestre is an hour-long climb, and that effort from EF made no sense. Only when Brandon McNulty and Rafal Majka were gone did I bridge across.”
He rejoined Carapaz, with Yates catching them soon after. The trio battled until Yates launched a decisive attack — later joined by Van Aert, who had been up the road. It was the move that sealed the Giro d’Italia.
The Radio Silence That Changed Everything
Looking back, Del Toro admits that miscommunication cost him dearly.
“Carapaz had shown the best legs, so on the radio they told me to watch him,” he said. “I think I’d do it differently now, but I made mistakes, some of them from inexperience.”
The crucial moment came when team radio updates arrived too late.
“When the radio told me Yates was up the road, and that Van Aert was too, Simon already had 55 seconds,” he recalled. “That shocked me. They should’ve told me about Van Aert when he had ten seconds — then I’d have said: let’s attack, let’s try.”
By the time Del Toro realised what was happening, the Giro had slipped away. His once-safe lead turned into a four-minute deficit by the stage finish in Sestriere.
“I think from the car they didn’t want me to go over the limit and risk finishing fifth or sixth,” he added. “In the end, we only lost one place, but the small mistakes cost us dearly.”
Strength from Defeat
Despite the heartbreak, Del Toro remains composed and reflective.
“When Simon came back, I knew I’d lose the Giro,” he said. “They both wanted to attack, and with their weight and altitude strengths, they had the advantage. I’m proud of my Giro, but not of finishing second. I could have won, and that’s made me stronger for the future.”
That resilience carried through to the end of the season. Just last weekend, Isaac del Toro dominated at home, winning both the Mexican time trial and road race championships in Ensenada. Those victories capped off a breakout year — 18 wins in total — and established him as one of UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s brightest young talents in a record-breaking season.
FAQ: Isaac del Toro and the Giro d’Italia
Who is Isaac del Toro?
Isaac del Toro is a 21-year-old professional cyclist from Mexico, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. He is known for his climbing strength and tactical intelligence, which have made him one of cycling’s most exciting young prospects.
What happened to Isaac del Toro at the Giro d’Italia?
Del Toro lost the lead on Stage 18 to Sestriere after a miscommunication on team radio left him unaware that Wout van Aert and Simon Yates had attacked. The mistake cost him the pink jersey and ultimately the Giro d’Italia title.
How long did Del Toro wear the Maglia Rosa?
He wore the leader’s pink jersey for almost two weeks after first taking it on Stage 9 in Siena.
What did Del Toro say about Wout van Aert?
He admitted that not being told about Van Aert’s move was a key tactical error: “They should’ve told me about Van Aert when he had ten seconds.”
What’s next for Isaac del Toro?
After a strong debut season with multiple victories, Del Toro is expected to target Grand Tour leadership roles in 2026, with UAE Team Emirates-XRG backing his continued development.
Leave a Reply