'Speak with data, not opinions': Matxin rejects claim Del Toro let McNulty win

Joxean Fernández Matxin has dismissed the suggestion that Isaac del Toro declined to chase Brandon McNulty at the World Championships because the two ride for the same trade team.

McNulty took the rainbow jersey in Montréal with del Toro in the group behind, a result that drew immediate scrutiny given both ride for UAE Team Emirates-XRG while representing the United States and Mexico respectively.

That scrutiny was fuelled by comments from riders in the chase. Tom Pidcock said Del Toro was “obviously working for McNulty in the end”, while silver medallist Michael Matthews also questioned the apparent cooperation between riders who normally share trade team colours despite representing different nations at the Worlds.

Del Toro offered a different reading of the finale. He argued that Mexico’s lack of depth had left him tactically exposed as the race became more selective.

“And if all the peloton raced a little against us or used the fact we didn't have the best team, I think we're going to battle all the more next year,” he told ESPN MX.

He also insisted that his objective had remained the same throughout the race.

“I think it was clear that we came to win, I left it all out there, we tried everything,” Del Toro said.

Matxin has now responded directly to the debate, arguing that any suggestion Del Toro deliberately eased off should be supported by evidence.

“To anyone who insinuates this, I urge you to speak with data and not with opinions,” Matxin said in an interview with Bicisport.

“How long was Del Toro on the front? And the others who are talking, how long were they on the front trying to close it down?

“If you bring me evidence with numbers showing that he pulled less than the others, then I can agree with you. But if they are just words, with all due respect, it remains an opinion we can all form.”

Matxin went further, arguing that the rider who did not win was nevertheless the strongest on the day.

“In my opinion, even though Brandon won, Del Toro was the strongest. You can see it from how the other riders controlled him.

“The course may not have been the best for him, but in terms of condition, he was superior to everyone.”

Del Toro had won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal on the same circuit three weeks earlier, ahead of Paul Seixas and McNulty, making him one of the most closely watched riders in the World Championships road race.

Matxin also rejected any suggestion that Del Toro’s allegiance to UAE Team Emirates-XRG had taken priority over Mexico.

“He wanted to win the Worlds. He defends the colours of Mexico because he is proud to be Mexican and wants to make history for his nation,” Matxin said.

On the American, Matxin was keen to point out that the result was less of a surprise than some of the reaction suggested. McNulty had been out for an extended period this season with a virus, and the rainbow jersey is his only win of 2026.

“If you look at the statements I've always made about him, I've always said that maybe he doesn't have Pogačar's killer instinct and he's not as prolific as Del Toro, but in terms of numbers he's a top level rider,” Matxin said.

“If you analyse what he's always done, he's capable of winning a Vuelta time trial, of being junior world champion against the clock. He came close at Paris-Nice, he won in Croatia, in Luxembourg. His value is high.”