![\"Isaac](\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2284362856.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhile the cycling world obsesses over Paul Seixas, Tadej Poga\u010dar points to Isaac del Toro as the rookie who could light up this Tour.<\/p>\n
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Poga\u010dar can’t stop singing Del Toro’s praises before the Tour de France. (Photo: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Updated July 3, 2026 07:15AM<\/p>\n
Everyone keeps asking Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/a> about Jonas Vingegaard<\/a>.<\/p>\n The four-time Tour de France<\/a> winner couldn\u2019t stop talking about Isaac del Toro<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think he (Vingegaard) is the only one who can come close,\u201d Poga\u010dar said in a pre-race press conference. \u201cThere are a few guys here who can aim for the victory, including this guy next to me.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s not how Tour favorites usually talk about their helpers.<\/p>\n While everyone is going crazy over Paul Seixas<\/a>, Poga\u010dar seems convinced Del Toro could be the rookie who blows this race apart.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old arrives in Barcelona on a tear. He won the UAE Tour and Tirreno-Adriatico this spring after finishing second at last year\u2019s Giro d\u2019Italia.<\/p>\n Then he capped it by crushing the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes last month.<\/p>\n Ever humble, \u201cEl Torito\u201d \u2014 the little bull \u2014 said he\u2019s only thinking about helping Poga\u010dar chase a record-tying fifth yellow jersey.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a huge dream to know I\u2019ll be at the start of the Tour, and with the best team in the world, trying to help Tadej. I feel privileged,\u201d Del Toro said. \u201cI can hardly believe the person I\u2019m becoming over these years, and to be honest, I\u2019m very happy.\u201d<\/p>\n Helping Poga\u010dar will help Del Toro Isaac del Toro is part of a scary strong UAE team<\/a>, but the Slovenian doesn\u2019t sound like he\u2019s planning on keeping Del Toro on a leash.<\/p>\n A stage win or the white jersey isn\u2019t out of the question. And if Peak Pog dominates like everyone expects, who knows what else might happen.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an important year for me. I\u2019ll try to learn from the critical moments and contribute whatever I can for Tadej,\u201d Del Toro said. \u201cStarting the Tour is what I\u2019ve always hoped for ever since I started cycling. I\u2019m excited, and a bit nervous.\u201d<\/p>\n Some fans wish Del Toro was leading his own team instead of riding shotgun for Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n The irony is that racing with Poga\u010dar instead of against him could actually improve his chances.<\/p>\n If he\u2019s the last rider climbing beside Poga\u010dar deep into the Alps and Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es, he\u2019ll already be high on GC.<\/p>\n Making Mexican history<\/p>\n Del Toro mania is also buzzing in Mexico and dozens of fans cheered him during Thursday\u2019s team presentation in the shadow of the Sagrada Fam\u00edlia.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Del](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2283782640-1-720x450.jpg\"\/)
Del Toro and Poga\u010dar make a fearsome tandem. (Photo: DAVID PINTENS \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n