Isaac del Toro contract talks on hold amid Paul Seixas uncertainty

Isaac del Toro’s future with UAE Team Emirates-XRG remains secure for the foreseeable future, with the Mexican rider under contract with the Emirati team until the end of 2029.

The Mexican champion signed a contract extension in April 2024, meaning there is no immediate pressure on either side to open negotiations over a new deal despite his rapid rise over the past two seasons. 

Del Toro’s impressive Tour de France debut only strengthened his status as one of cycling’s leading young talents. 

The 22-year-old won a stage and claimed the youth classification while finishing third overall, joining teammate Tadej Pogačar on the final podium as the Slovenian secured a record-equalling fifth yellow jersey.

According to cycling journalist Daniel Benson, Del Toro’s camp is waiting to see how the situation around Seixas develops before entering further contract discussions.

The French rider has been linked with a possible move to the Emirati team, although no agreement has been confirmed. Seixas remains under contract with Decathlon CMA CGM until the end of 2027.

The situation could influence Del Toro's position within the team. Both riders have already established themselves as Grand Tour contenders at a young age, with Seixas emerging as one of Del Toro's closest rivals during the Tour.

Seixas finished fourth overall on his Tour debut after competing directly with Del Toro for a place on the podium and for the white jersey. His performance has increased speculation about interest from other teams, including UAE Team Emirates XRG.

Decathlon CMA CGM has publicly stated that it wants to retain the French rider and remains calm about the reports surrounding his future.

"The pressure around this story is coming from the media and is also being fuelled by those who are trying to attract him," team manager Dominique Serieys told Le Parisien after the Tour.

"I insist that we remain very calm. Paul wanted the subject kept out of the way during the Tour, and we will deal with what comes next later."

Del Toro's Tour performance followed an already successful season. He won the UAE Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, establishing himself in fourth in the UCI rankings.

His existing contract means there is no immediate risk of him leaving UAE Team Emirates-XRG. When talks take place, the wider question of the team’s future Grand Tour structure could form part of those discussions.