What role will UAE’s young phenom play for his team leader at the esteemed Italian one-day race?
Kristof Ramon, Cor Vos
When the world’s number one rider makes his first start of the season on Saturday at Strade Bianche, he will be joined by a teammate who happens to be the world’s number two rider, at least according to the UCI rankings. UAE Team Emirates-XRG has unveiled its start list for Strade Bianche, confirming that three-time winner Tadej Pogačar will be joined by rising star Isaac del Toro – who also might be the favorite to win were it not for his defending champion teammate.
As if Pogačar alone wasn’t intimidating enough, the pairing with Del Toro seems nearly unbeatable. The 22-year-old Mexican climber enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last year, coming oh-so-close to winning the overall title at the Giro d’Italia. Indeed, as UAE pointed out in its press release announcing the Strade Bianche roster, Del Toro proved without a doubt last season that he can deliver results in Italy. Even after the disappointing final days of the Giro, Del Toro closed out his 2025 campaign with an incredible run of seven wins in 12 one-day starts from September through October, not including his national championship road race victory.
On Saturday, of course, Pogačar will be the headliner and assumedly the leader for his team, leaving Del Toro’s role a bit more open-ended. Perhaps UAE has already sorted a plan whereby he will simply play his part in the train that inevitably sets Pogačar up for the sort of decisive attack that has led to his winning the race three times before. In that capacity, Del Toro would be joined by the likes of Florian Vermeersch, Felix Großschartner, Kevin Vermaerke, Domen Novak, and Jan Christen setting the pace this weekend. It’s a formidable setup for that plan.
If Del Toro is given more of a free role to follow moves when he can, however, Strade Bianche could offer prove an intriguing showcase of what’s to come for one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
This post is for paying subscribers only
Subscribe now
Already have an account? Sign in
Did we do a good job with this story?
👍Yep
👎Nope