'I didn't have anything to lose' - Del Toro's red-hot form continues in Piemonte

Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) continued his remarkable 2025 season by winning Gran Piemonte on Thursday with a decisive attack on the final ascent of Castelletto d'Erro.

The Mexican rider broke clear with 3km remaining on the final climb to claim his 15th victory of the year and UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s 92nd, adding to his impressive haul of Italian autumn successes. Marc Hirschi outsprinted Bauke Mollema in a two-up sprint to complete the podium.

The decisive moment came on the second and final ascent of the Castelletto d'Erro, when Del Toro caught up with Hirschi and Mollema before launching a blistering attack that none could follow. He quickly established a gap that grew to over 30 seconds by the finish line.

It was a full circle moment for Del Toro when he crossed the line in Acqui Terme, as his first victory of his stellar 2025 season also came in the Piemonte region when he won Milano-Torino in March.

"When you know a little bit more about the climb, it's easier to think in your mind what you want to do," Del Toro explained when asked if it helped knowing the climb from earlier in the race. "It was really tough to try, but thanks to my teammates, they put a lot of confidence in me, and I didn't have anything to lose, so I tried from the bottom."

Del Toro gave an insight into his swashbuckling personality on a bike that has seen him win six Italian one-day races since 7 September, explaining his all-or-nothing approach on the final climb.

"I just tried to go as fast as possible on the steepest part, and it was the beginning. I tried to go all in, and if I blow up, I mean, I blow up, I have nothing more," said Del Toro.

With Il Lombardia on Saturday, and Del Toro set to line up alongside heavy favourite Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), who could seal a record fifth consecutive victory, the Mexican reflected on his incredible season so far. 

"This year so far was better than we expected as a team and for myself. You have your own pressure, and you want to be always better and professional. This year from far was super good, I don't know what to say, it's just incredible. I know it's not so normal, but it's just unbelievable for me."