Isaac del Toro’s UAE Team Emirates career got off to the best possible start with a third-place finish at the season-opening Down Under Classic.
Often dominated by local sprinters like Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla), the Criterium in Australia has seen the likes of Jhonatan Narváez (INEOS Grenadiers), Natnael Tetsfazion (Lidl-Trek) and Del Toro emerge.
Career away from home at age 15
Del Toro’s route to Europe is similar to that of many cyclists. However, it stands out for the fact that he left home at the age of 15, to pursue his dream. For many, making this decision would seem challenging, but speaking to GCN during the UAE Team Emirates media day in La Nucia, Spain, Del Toro emphasizes that it was not a sacrifice.
“The truth is that it’s not a sacrifice, it’s a pleasure and I do it because I love it,” says Del Toro. “Although it is difficult to be away from my family and friends, I live with great people who become family, it will never be the same, but it helps to maintain morale.
“I have always been a very focused person: I train, eat, rest and prepare for the next day. Being here in Europe, without distractions, allows me to focus on my goals.”
Froome and Quintana are inspirations
“The Grand Tours and World Championships are broadcast in Mexico,” he explains. “When I was younger I saw Chris Froome and Nairo Quintana in the Tour de France and that was what inspired me to follow my dream.”
The switch to Mexican occurred when he was 15 years old. Del Toro saw an advertisement for cyclists from the Italian Continental team AR Monex (although registered in San Marino, AR Monex has strong roots in Mexico.
“They made a selection in Mexico,” he said in Spain. “I passed each of the selection stages and managed to go to Europe and ended my fourth year with them. Once we got to Europe I was exposed to a more professional type of racing and I started to improve.”
Fracture in 2023
However, a huge crash in training almost ends the 18-year-old’s career. He fractured his femur and was out of action for seven months. At first, Del Toro thought his dream of becoming a professional was over.
“The truth is that this was a difficult year because I broke my femur. I thought it would be the end of my career and the first part of 2023 was very difficult and frustrating,” he says.
“I knew I had the ability, but recovery is difficult and things weren’t working for me. But I’m grateful to have such good people around me who supported me to keep going.”
Tour de a’Lvenir was the turning point in his career
Rumors linking Del Toro to UAE Team Emirates say that Javier Ares (Eurosport) and Alberto Contador would have recommended the Mexican to the WorldTeam, during the television coverage of the Vuelta a España. Del Toro thanks him shyly. “Just the fact that they mention my name makes me very flattered.”
“After the Tour de l’Avenir (Isaac won the competition), my phone exploded, I received calls all the time. It was chaotic and I couldn’t do things right, I couldn’t concentrate on training and it was a lot to handle,” he says. “But that’s when negotiations with the teams began.”
Del Toro relies on his family and friends for representation and guidance rather than opting for an agent, and in UAE Team Emirates, the family has found a team he is happy with.
“I have a complicated situation, because I come from another country and another continent, I still have a lot to learn and I decided to come here because I trust the approach the team gives me. I’m very happy to be with this team, it’s incredible to be able to eat with all