Abu dhabi: Mexican sensation Isaac Del Toro kicked off the 2026 UAE Tour in thrilling fashion today, powering to victory on Stage 1 and claiming the first leader’s jersey of the race for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The young star’s bold racing under challenging wind conditions set the tone for a spectacular opening day at the premier World Tour cycling event in the Middle East.
According to Emirates News Agency, the stage was originally planned at 144 km from Madinat Zayed to Liwa Palace but was shortened to 118 km due to strong crosswinds across exposed desert roads, a move made to protect rider safety. Despite the route reduction and tricky conditions, the race delivered drama, highlighted by a late crash that took out several contenders, including sprint favorite Jonathan Milan, and a fast, uphill finish where Del Toro launched his decisive attack.
After exceptional teamwork and positioning, Del Toro made his move in the closing meters, riding powerfully out of the final drag to outpace Cees Bol (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) and Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain-Victorious) in a reduced sprint. Del Toro’s timing and strength in the finale showcased his explosive speed and confidence against top-level competition, putting UAE Team Emirates-XRG in a prime position for the week ahead.
Del Toro expressed gratitude towards his team, acknowledging the challenges posed by the wind. He mentioned his focus on maintaining the lead while being mindful of the upcoming stages and the competition from riders like Remco, particularly in the individual time trial on Stage 2 and the climbing tests later in the week. The victory marks a promising start to the season for the Mexican rider and will delight the home crowds.
