Isaac Del Toro begins his adventure in the Vuelta de España with UAE Team Emirates

Mexico City. In the hierarchy of the great cycling races, the Vuelta a España is the gateway. Then comes the Giro d’Italia and the royal palace: the Tour de France. The cycling phenomenon, Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, crossed that threshold at the age of 19 to begin a career that today seems unattainable.

For this reason, in the first stage of the Iberian race, that memory floated upon seeing the Mexican Isaac del Toro, a recognized promise in this world on wheels, who at 20 years old has the opportunity to be presented in the circuit of the most prestigious competitions and in a luxury team, the UAE Team Emirates, the same one that represents Slovenia.

In his first appearance, Del Toro finished in 39th place. The Mexican’s task in this Vuelta is to be the team leader’s squire. The sacrifice of the teammates by putting pressure, creating a bubble, cutting through the air and putting his face on the line serves to reduce the wear and tear on his leader when it comes to decisive duels.

Team Emirates got off to a great start, with American Brandon McNulty winning the time trial yesterday with the fastest time in the history of the Vuelta. The clock registered 12 minutes and 35 seconds, a couple of seconds ahead of Mathias Vacek and three ahead of Wout van Art. Del Toro clocked 13th with 17th, but his strength is endurance in uphill battles.

The Baja Californian knows very well that this is his great showcase, just as it was for his teammate Pogacar, one of the most significant absences in this race and who just a few weeks ago conquered the Tour de France.