No Tadej Pogacar? No problem! Even without its superstar, the team UAE Emirates-XRG reaches after the overall victory at Giro d’Italia. The Mexican Isaac del Toro drives into the leadership role in the pink jersey.
Isaac del Toro had to clarify something, after all, he involuntarily ensures the risk of confusion at the Giro d’Italia. His positioning on the bike, the youthful carefree, the lightness with which he parries attacks of the rivals – in the pink jersey, the Mexican awakens memories of the best cycling professional of the present.
But far from it! “I’m not Tadej Pogacar,” said del Toro, “my engine is smaller.”
Large enough to tackle the demanding final week of the 108th Tour of Italy as the leader is the engine of the 21-year-old. Del Toro has 1:20 minutes ahead after 15 out of 21 stages on the British Simon Yates.
Too little to lean back on the upcoming mountain stages. Enough to allow dreams of triumph in Rome. “I have to understand that I am able to win the Giro,” said del Toro.
Already written in the Giro
At the Pogacar team UAE Emirates-XRG, for which DEL Toro steps into the pedals, this ensures a explosive situation. Actually, “El Torito” was sent into the race as a noble helper, should Juan Ayuso, another top talent in his own ranks, overall victory and the ride from Pogacar’s shadow.
But now Del Toro has proven to Siena in Rosa since the Gravel stage in Rosa, the driver that has been stronger so far. Sports director Joxean Fernández speaks of a “luxury situation”. “Of course” del Toro could win the Giro, Ayuso (+1: 26) is also the third in the race – and should claim claims.
The advantage is still with del Toro. “It’s all new to me, I live a dream,” said del Toro, who can already see his first Giro as a success regardless of the end result: the young star from Ensenada on the Mexican Pacific coast is the first cycling professional in his country to carry the leadership jersey on a large tour.
Del Toro captivates with his racing intelligence
This has not remained hidden from his sports crazy compressors. The Giro Mexican flags can be seen on the side of the road more and more. For his consultant Alex Carrera, del Toro has “everything to become tomorrow’s star.”
Raúl Alcalá, who once won two stages at the Tour de France, sees the upcoming Giro winner in del Toro. “He is certain to do big things,” said the 61-year-old of the newspaper Esto.
Del Toro, who moved to San Marino at the age of 15, attaches great importance to the little things. His racing intelligence is one of his greatest qualities. Del Toro collected the greatest time bonification of all classification drivers by far 36 seconds, which is why the first candidate is on the golden trophy “Trofeo Senza Fine”.
Last year she stood up Tadej Pogacar in the shadow of the Colosseum. If Isaac del Toro is given this honor next Sunday, there is no more risk of confusion on the podium.