Isaac del Toro

Isaac del Toro is a 21-year-old Mexican professional road cyclist who has rapidly emerged as one of the sport’s most promising young talents. Hailing from Ensenada, Baja California, he gained international attention by winning the 2023 Tour de l’Avenir, becoming the first Mexican rider to claim that prestigious under-23 title. This early breakthrough, combined with his all-round abilities and fearless racing style, earned him a contract with UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates. Del Toro’s meteoric rise has made him a national hero in Mexico and a rider to watch on the global stage.

Del Toro was born and raised in Ensenada, Baja California. His father was an amateur cyclist who introduced Isaac and his brother to the sport at a young age. Although he tried other sports as a child, cycling quickly became his passion. He competed in mountain biking, cyclo-cross, and road events in his youth, which helped hone his bike-handling skills. As a teenager, he joined the Mexico-based A.R. Monex development team, allowing him to race in Europe and gain international experience despite coming from a country with a relatively small cycling scene.

The year 2023 was Del Toro’s breakthrough on the international scene. Riding for the continental team A.R. Monex, he made steady progress in European events and then delivered a sensational performance at the Tour de l’Avenir, the premier under-23 stage race. Del Toro not only became the first Mexican to win that event, but also won a stage and swept all the race’s classifications (overall, points, mountains, and young rider). This dominant display against top U23 competition confirmed his potential and put him on the radar of WorldTour teams. The Tour de l’Avenir victory was the turning point that propelled him toward a professional career.

In late 2023, Del Toro’s exploits earned him a contract with UAE Team Emirates, a leading WorldTour squad. He stepped up to the professional level in 2024 and made an immediate impact. At his first major race, the Tour Down Under in January 2024, he stunned the field by attacking late to win Stage 2 and went on to finish third overall (also securing the best young rider jersey). It was a dream debut that validated his new team’s confidence in him.

Del Toro continued to impress throughout his rookie season in 2024. In the spring, he finished 4th overall at the Tirreno–Adriatico stage race, proving he could contend in WorldTour competition. He also showed his versatility with a strong ride in his Monument debut at Milan–San Remo. In April, he earned his first professional overall title by winning the Vuelta a Asturias in Spain (plus a stage win). Later that year, he made his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España. While not an overall contender there, he rode aggressively in mountain breakaways and even earned a combativity prize on one stage. By season’s end, Del Toro had multiple victories and high finishes, confirming his status as one of the top neo-pros of 2024.

Del Toro is a well-rounded rider with a natural aptitude for climbing and stage racing. With his light build he is suited for high mountains, but also a punchy burst of power on shorter climbs and uphill sprints. His style is aggressive yet smart; he isn’t afraid to attack, a trait that drew early comparisons to teammate Tadej Pogačar. Thanks to his multi-discipline background, he has excellent bike-handling skills and adapts well to varied terrain.

Within UAE Team Emirates, he is being groomed as a future leader while still learning from experienced teammates. In 2024 he served primarily as a climbing domestique, but he also seized opportunities to lead in select races. He even handled the pressure of wearing the Giro d’Italia’s pink leader’s jersey in 2025 with calm maturity, showing a poise beyond his years. These qualities indicate that Del Toro has the makings of a future Grand Tour contender.

• First Mexican rider to win the Tour de l’Avenir (2023)
• First rider to win all classifications (overall, points, mountains, youth) at the Tour de l’Avenir
• First Mexican to win a stage in a WorldTour race (Tour Down Under, 2024)
• Youngest rider to podium at the Giro d’Italia since 2018 (2nd overall in 2025 at age 21)
• First Mexican to wear the Maglia Rosa in the Giro d’Italia (2025)

Looking ahead, expectations for Del Toro are very high. In 2025 he proved he could contend with the world’s best by finishing second in the Giro d’Italia, and many believe he can become a Grand Tour champion in the coming years.