When he won Milano–Torino 2025 atop the Superga climb back in March, nobody could have imagined that just over six months later Isaac Del Toro would become what he is now: a phenomenon, a relentless winner, a dominator, a cannibal – a young replica of Tadej Pogačar, the only rider capable of doing even better than what Del Toro has been producing in recent weeks.
The Mexican crushed the opposition at GranPiemonte 2025, attacking on the second ascent of Castelletto d’Erro, sweeping up escapees and chasers one by one, and then flying solo to the finish in Acqui Terme. There was nothing Marc Hirschi (Tudor), second, or Bauke Mollema (Lidl-Trek), third, could do – though both can be satisfied with their podium places. Hirschi comes off a disappointing season, while Mollema, nearly 39, hadn’t shown this level for some time. And besides, against this Del Toro there was simply nothing to be done.
We already knew before the start in Dogliani that if the Mexican decided to take control of the race, the others would have little chance. The signs in recent weeks were clear: Del Toro was practically untouchable. His leap in quality came at the Giro d’Italia – 11 days in the Maglia Rosa, a stage win in Bormio, and second place overall in Rome, which perhaps could have been first with sharper tactics. Since then he’s been in full “terminator” mode, racking up 13 victories in the last three months. Only Pogačar managed to stop him at the World Championships in Kigali – but Del Toro happens to be five years younger and, for the rest of the year, is his teammate at UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
And so, between Dogliani and Acqui Terme, Del Toro did what he has already done at the Tour of Austria, Classica Terres de l’Erbre, Circuit de Getxo, GP Industria & Artigianato, Giro della Toscana, Coppa Sabatini, and Giro dell’Emilia. At not yet 22 years old, he already has 18 professional wins – five more than Pogačar had at the same age. Next, the two will meet again this Saturday at Il Lombardia 2025. Who can stop them? Hard to say. What’s certain is that UAE Team Emirates-XRG keeps rewriting the record books, now at 92 wins this season. The 100 mark is not far away.