🗣️🗯️: “Del Toro hasn't won anything as a pro at age 20, he turns 23 in November, whereas Seixas won Il Lombardia, a Monument, at 20. There is a three-year gap between them, practically three seasons.” 🧠 Not all cyclists develop at the same pace, nor should they have to. Background MATTERS. While Seixas was turning professional at 18, Del Toro, at the same age, was considering retirement because no major team was willing to give him a chance. At that age, while preparing to race the Tour de l’Avenir, he suffered a crash that fractured his femur and severed an artery, putting his life in danger. He remained unconscious for days due to blood loss, and doctors told him it was very likely he would never be the same on a bike again. His dream of competing in L’Avenir had to be put on hold for a year. Then, in 2023, at 19, he raced it and won, sweeping all the jerseys. That was when UAE decided to sign him, not as a rising star in the making, but as a domestique’s domestique. Even so, he won his first WT race in January 2024, just days after making his professional debut. I don’t know whether Del Toro will be better than Seixas or end up far behind him. What I do know is that his journey has been different and far more turbulent. These days, it’s all about cold analyses of W/kg and win counts. I still believe the story behind those numbers matters too.

And speaking of eurocentrism, I have a question for our European friends. When Enrico Giancarli asks Ciro Scognamiglio how many of cycling’s “Big Four”—Pogacar, Vingegaard, Evenepoel, and Seixas—might ride the 2027 Giro, why leave out of the conversation an actual Giro runner up, Tour 3rd finisher, and Tirreno and Dauphiné winner? What else does Del Toro need to do to be considered one of cycling’s current important names? I’m genuinely asking 🤔

The way many french have completely written off Del Toro since Lombardia… We’ll see. Toro has a way of stepping up when people count him out. And… winning the 2027 Worlds? Is Pogacar supposed to still be injured or something? ☠️

I still think Jonas is being underestimated and that he’ll remain the best climber after Pogacar. I also think his TT is better than people give him credit for, and he won’t lose nearly as much time as some expect. Barring any crashes, I still see a Pogacar–Vingegaard 1–2.

Video controversy aside, isn’t this the same Pogacar that Christian Prudhomme suggested might never be quite the same after his crash because of the mental toll it could take? He looks pretty comfortable to me 😂

Ya les digo yo que si el palmarés de Del Toro esta temporada lo hubiera ganado Seixas y viceversa, aún así habrían puesto a Seixas por encima en su “análisis”. Ahora, si el punto de la edad es EL factor, cerremos todo y vámonos! Nos ahorramos 40 minutos de video. En fin 😂

Oh, please. He mentions Remco, but what he really wants is to help their french golden boy. Stop pretending 🙄

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Stefano Teramo, an orthopedic and trauma surgeon who works with elite athletes and is also a shoulder and knee specialist, shared a photo with Isaac del Toro today. It's possible that Isaac's knee issues prompted a more thorough medical evaluation, although UAE has yet to comment publicly on the matter.

I wouldn't exactly call it stealing. If UAE had wanted to keep him, they would have. What he could be useful for, though, is revealing Torito's data or “weaknesses”. In the end, spending an entire year praising Seixas while being completely useless to Del Toro and Pogacar paid off for him.

Finjamos sorpresa.

So it's pretty clear that Del Toro will lead at the Giro. The question is whether UAE will also send him to the Tour or the Vuelta as a domestique for Pogacar. I'm not so sure sending him to two GT just yet would be the best idea, considering how this season seemed to drag on for Isaac and how he wasn't quite at his best towards the end. We'll find out in December.

Pogacar y Torito: "Ódiame más" 😌

Well, to no one’s surprise. Hopefully Decathlon threw him a bone after all the praise he’s heaped on their young star for over a year now.

Isaac del Toro has two more events scheduled before his end of season break: UAE Team Emirates-XRG Cycling Festival in 🗓️ October 31 (Abu Dhabi) TDF Singapore Criterium 🗓️ November 7–8 (alongside Paul Seixas) So far, there don’t appear to be any changes to his plans.