Go Big Or Go Home | Isaac del Toro put in a monster effort up the hard drag to the line and beat the sprinters at their own game

Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG) has put in a monster effort on the finishing drag to win stage 1 at UAE Tour and take the first leader’s jersey of the 2026 edition. The 22-year-old Mexican, who claimed 18 wins last seaso, opened his sprint very early and held off Cees Bol (Decathlon CMA CGM) to win.

Eddie Dunbar, who carries Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team’s general classification hopes in this race, finished a little further back. However, luckily no gaps opened in the field, despite the bunch being strung out, and the only time he has lost is to riders who took bonus seconds.

Given the sprint was uphill, some of those riders who scored the time bonuses are Dunbar’s general classification rivals. Del Toro took 10 seconds for the winner, 3rd places Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain-Victorious) took four seconds for 3rd on the stage.

“This is really crazy and unbelievable. I was thinking there might be a chance but that was a dream, not being realistic,” said de Toro. “I saw a possibility to try and win. I didn’t want to finish the race with any regrets.

“I saw a rider opening a gap so I went but while I was sprinting I didn’t know where the other riders were. I went full gas. Like two years ago at the Tour Down Under, winning in the first race of the year is something you want but it’s even better to do it for my team here in the UAE.”

Vaya bestia! Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG) WINS stage 1 of @uae_tour at Liwa Palace, he did what Pogacar couldn’t do last year! 👏🏻🇲🇽 I was very sorry to see Milan crashing out though, I hope he’s fine. #UAETour pic.twitter.com/Fj4r2DViHI

— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) February 16, 2026

Given the sheer power of del Toro’s acceleration – a mix of a late attack and early sprint – those behind him with general classification aspirations were lucky multiple time gaps did not open.

On the basis of his finish today, and the sheer quality of his form last year, de Toro is one the men to beat this week, maybe the main man.

However, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal QuickStep) is also in this race – 20th today – and has started the season in spectacular form, with six wins already. The world and Olympic TT champion, Evenepoel will look to make gains in the TT and then at least match del Toro on the two uphill finishes.

Others who should be in the GC fight include Tiberi, Dunbar, Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal Quick-Step), Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM), David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ United), Derek Gee-West (Lidl-Trek), Ben O’Connor (Team Jayco AlUla) and Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling), among others.

The first general classification stage comes tomorrow with a pan flat 12.2km at Hudayriyat Island tomorrow, where Evenepoel will want to make gains in del Toro. That will be followed on Wednesday by the uphill finish of Jebel Mobrah – 13.2km averaging 8.1 per cent gradient – at the end of the 183km stage.

Dunbar, who already has AlUla Tour in his legs this season, will tomorrow look to repeat some of the career-best TT rides he produced early last year and then be in the mix on Wednesday on the uphill finish. While it would be very hard for him to win this race, a top five finish is a realistic goal.