Isaac del Toro: 'Pogacar is the best I’ve ever seen, but Merckx is still the greatest'

“I give a very positive balance,” he told Marca when asked to rate his year. “There’s a lot to take from everything I’ve learned this season. If I had to give a grade, I’d say an eight. I needed to be more demanding in some areas, and in others, more careful with the details.”

He speaks warmly about racing in La Nucía, the Spanish town where he recently rode a post-season criterium. “It was amazing to be back. I love this part of Spain and I’m very happy. People here are so kind and follow my career closely. It makes me really happy to share these moments with them.”

The only scar left from an extraordinary year comes from the Giro, where the pink jersey slipped away on the penultimate stage. “Of course, losing the maglia rosa was tough, but it gave me a lot to learn from, many things to build on for the future. It wasn’t the way I would’ve liked to finish, but I can sleep peacefully. It doesn’t keep me up at night.”

Comparisons with his teammate Pogačar have followed him all season. Del Toro takes the question in stride. “Like with any other friend. I try to tease him sometimes, we laugh together, share what we love most. Right now, it’s work, and it’s a joy.”

And what about the endless debate over whether Pogačar has already surpassed Merckx? “Of course I know who he is. He’s the greatest in history, and I have enormous respect and admiration for him. I can only speak from what I’ve seen, Tadej is the rider I’ve grown up watching. For me, from what I’ve experienced, he’s the best. But by the history books, Merckx is the greatest.”

Del Toro turns 22 next month, and he knows that being surrounded by champions at UAE Team Emirates could easily intimidate a young rider. Instead, he sees it as motivation. “I don’t think it’s a problem. There’s room, you don’t have to conquer the world all at once. It’s just a matter of time. Hopefully, I’ll get there. And if not, I’ll do everything I can to be as useful as possible to the team.”

When asked about the topic that has drawn so much attention in recent months, the departure of Juan Ayuso, he keeps a balanced tone. “Honestly, yes, it surprised me a little. But in the end, I think he made the right decision for himself. I spoke with him briefly, and I think everything worked out fine in the end.”

For Del Toro, that kind of composure says it all. He came close to pink, learned from defeat, and earned the respect of the peloton. The story of Isaac del Toro is only just beginning.