Isaac Del Toro thread

Page 42 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
I don't see it that way. Pogacar was behind Ayuso'; it seems he didn't expect Del Toro to attack. He had to overtake Ayuso and get on Del Toro's wheel.

I don't think Del Toro would have withstood an attack from Pogacar. Later Pogacar went at a slower pace to keep Del Toro on his side longer.

By the way, Del Toro should finish his season. He may be in great physical shape, but they should think ahead and not burn him out so much this season, also mentally.
And that way, they can take advantage of the opportunity to give Christen and other riders the lead in those Italian Classics and calm future conflicts with riders like him who aren't getting opportunities to lead any races. They should learn from the problems they had with Ayuso.

Del Toro will win those classics, but they have to consider the wear and tear he's accumulating at his age. The World Championships should have been his last race.
UAE doesn't think about these things and burns out riders. Then Pogacar talks about retiring at 27, and they get scared :sweatsmile: . Del Toro is burning out in secondary races. They already have the record, they should prioritize what I say.

Visma has already given Brennan a rest until Paris-Tours. He could certainly win four or five more races, but they won't want to burn him out.

Last year, Morgado was burned, and this year he's had a disappointing season. He started well in races with easy competition, but he's disappeared except someday.
He doesn't have to do a lot for pogi at Lombardia. But I agree, they have to be careful with him.

OTOH, not many people went with the selection on Kigali. You and I both know every contender wanted to be with the Pog group if they could.

Upon further review, Del Toro next to Ayuso tells me a lot more about Del Toro than Del Toro next to Pogi. It's true we don't know where Pogi's bottom is, but we know where Ayuso's was and he pretty much targeted this portion of the year after his Giro disaster.
 
He did a dumb attack on the third-last lap (I think, it could also have been the penultimate lap) and rode solo for around 20 kilometres before he was caught close to the decisive climb. That's why he didn't feature in the end.
It was only a dumb attack because we were not yet in the long solo attack sticking era and the worlds were still very much a waiting contest until the final lap of doing as little as possible. If a small group had reacted and gone with him or if was as strong then as he is now that move would have won the race.
 
There is a lot to like about his performance.
I was 100% sure he would DNF after being dropped like a stone by Pog, but he kept fighting and actually recovered pretty well from his efforts.
Hard to know if he will improve his endurance to the point he could win a race of this caliber but this is a good starting point.
Main issue for me is that riding for UAE he will have limited chances to test himself as a captain in AGR, LBL, Lombardia or even Sanremo.

Very long season and it seems like UAE will have him ride Agostoni, Bernocchi and 3VV in consecutive days. Meh.
Would be better to sit out the rest of the Italian races and just do Emilia if recovered sufficiently then end his season.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sciatic
It was only a dumb attack because we were not yet in the long solo attack sticking era and the worlds were still very much a waiting contest until the final lap of doing as little as possible. If a small group had reacted and gone with him or if was as strong then as he is now that move would have won the race.
Sure, but he wasn't close to making it work so in the context of the race, it was dumb. Especially because he and Roglic would have had numbers to play with in the final (but let's not forget that it was just eight days after Planche des Belles Filles, so maybe Pogi just didn't want go get in the way of Roglic).
 
  • Like
Reactions: hayneplane
He doesn't have to do a lot for pogi at Lombardia. But I agree, they have to be careful with him.

OTOH, not many people went with the selection on Kigali. You and I both know every contender wanted to be with the Pog group if they could.

Upon further review, Del Toro next to Ayuso tells me a lot more about Del Toro than Del Toro next to Pogi. It's true we don't know where Pogi's bottom is, but we know where Ayuso's was and he pretty much targeted this portion of the year after his Giro disaster.
It would make more sense to me for him to go to Lombardy as a domestique and retire mid-race than to do the three classics he has planned.
Emilia, Varesine, and Agostoni. It's too much. If Del Toro tells them at 25 that he wants to retire because he's burned out, don't be surprised.

Given his shape, he'll probably win them easily, but they have to be careful with that.

As I said, Brennan could easily win another five races in Holland and other races, and Visma gives him rest. He'll only go to Paris-Tours.

UAE is going to burn out Del Toro. I don't know what happened to Morgado, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's burned out; last year was too demanding.

Also, by giving Del Toro a rest, Christen could be the leader. They've already had problems with him; they should calm him down by giving him the lead at least in those races. There's no longer a need for a record, they shouldn't force Del Toro. All that's left is for them to take him to China....
 
Last edited:
Sure, but he wasn't close to making it work so in the context of the race, it was dumb. Especially because he and Roglic would have had numbers to play with in the final (but let's not forget that it was just eight days after Planche des Belles Filles, so maybe Pogi just didn't want go get in the way of Roglic).
I agree with you in the context of the times. A big part of it was that it was so much viewed as the destiny of the nation for Roglic to win the Tour first that it was almost seen negatively by some for Pogacar to win. He clearly had to play the role of opening up the race rather than being Plan A.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SHAD0W93
My fandom level of the bull has gone up a couple more notches. Not stalker level yet but heading there
I went the opposite, it looks like Del Toro is afraid to leave Italy.. racing another five races!
I am going to check his passport.. Something is suspicious..
He keeps racing and doing well in Italy.. I am starting to smell a rat, Isaac not posting any media of him eating machaca, chili cilles, tacos, tortas, sopes...so far nothing..
It's a worrying sign that he can be munching on pizza and pasta. Isaac Del Tortellini
 
I went the opposite, it looks like Del Toro is afraid to leave Italy.. racing another five races!
I am going to check his passport.. Something is suspicious..
He keeps racing and doing well in Italy.. I am starting to smell a rat, Isaac not posting any media of him eating machaca, chili cilles, tacos, tortas, sopes...so far nothing..
It's a worrying sign that he can be munching on pizza and pasta. Isaac Del Tortellini
You're at Stan-level my friend! I'll be there soon
 
It would make more sense to me for him to go to Lombardy as a domestique and retire mid-race than to do the three classics he has planned.
Emilia, Varesine, and Agostoni. It's too much. If Del Toro tells them at 25 that he wants to retire because he's burned out, don't be surprised.

Given his shape, he'll probably win them easily, but they have to be careful with that.

As I said, Brennan could easily win another five races in Holland and other races, and Visma gives him rest. He'll only go to Paris-Tours.

UAE is going to burn out Del Toro. I don't know what happened to Morgado, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's burned out; last year was too demanding.

Also, by giving Del Toro a rest, Christen could be the leader. They've already had problems with him; they should calm him down by giving him the lead at least in those races. There's no longer a need for a record, they shouldn't force Del Toro. All that's left is for them to take him to China....
He does have a very high number of race days given his age and the fact he's only done one grand tour. He's done way more than Pogacar!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sandisfan
You're at Stan-level my friend! I'll be there soon
I am getting another Del Toro tattoo today, this is my 14th Isaac related ink..I had to go to a beauty salon so they could shave my back..

But seriously I think that UAE guidance is really responsible and overall excellent.. They are racing him enough but not overdoing it.. I was in fear that because of his results and level that they would try Giro and Vuelta in the same year.
I am still optimistic about gravel.. I think there was lots of heavy KoolAid consumption before worlds , Del Toro was a long shot and he rode like it. Sure Del Toro fanboys want him to be next Pogacar which might be true but that's years off in my opinion..I really think that an interesting chapter is ahead, ** just my own opinion** Del Toro will go all in physically and mentally for the cause, when he teams up with a healthy and motivated Tadej other teams will be at a steep disadvantage.
Ayuso, super talented but the mind body connection is intermittent at best. Isaac will not suffer from any of that BS..
I hope that UAE is spending sufficient time so that many of these super talents under the same tent can visualize success. I didn't drink any KoolAid before worlds and was glad that Del Toro rolled the dice and failed rather than not try..
Del Toro will race 5 times in 6 days starting on the 4th. I will be holding my breath and am perfectly amazed at his 2025..
 
It would make more sense to me for him to go to Lombardy as a domestique and retire mid-race than to do the three classics he has planned.
Emilia, Varesine, and Agostoni. It's too much. If Del Toro tells them at 25 that he wants to retire because he's burned out, don't be surprised.

Given his shape, he'll probably win them easily, but they have to be careful with that.

As I said, Brennan could easily win another five races in Holland and other races, and Visma gives him rest. He'll only go to Paris-Tours.

UAE is going to burn out Del Toro. I don't know what happened to Morgado, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's burned out; last year was too demanding.

Also, by giving Del Toro a rest, Christen could be the leader. They've already had problems with him; they should calm him down by giving him the lead at least in those races. There's no longer a need for a record, they shouldn't force Del Toro. All that's left is for them to take him to China....
It's hard to know your angle.. Is it another UAE mismanagement pile on? A sincere appeal for extraordinary care for young Mexican who could suffer from some career killing overexposure? I don't know. I personally know 3 people who have coached Del Toro since shortly after able to zip up his own pants. I know people who drove Del Toro in a van full of other screaming kids to races when his mother couldn't stomach going to another pesky cycling event. Nobody knows for sure but from my observation, Isaac can race 2,3 times a day everyday and not burn out if he keeps getting this feedback from the energy and results. I am sure you are right.. He would gladly race in China..
Second year pro winning at will..when Isaac wants advice.. When he wants to train.. He is next to the repeat world and TDF champion.. Don't panic about him burning out.
View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/SB1rJfxYrsM

View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/FATS3ufemxI


Can't find video of Del Toro doing group photos in Kigali with admiring teams.. The one with Nigerian racers is priceless
 
An athlete doesn't burn out in the moment; it's a consequence of an excessive workload, and in my opinion, they're overloading a 22 years rider with a lot races.
For me, it's a mistake that UAE is making. It's not all about winning in the moment; they have to think about the future.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
An athlete doesn't burn out in the moment; it's a consequence of an excessive workload, and in my opinion, they're overloading a 22 years rider with a lot races.
For me, it's a mistake that UAE is making. It's not all about winning in the moment; they have to think about the future.
If there's one team that has been overly cautious with their youngsters is UAE and I'm pretty sure they keep Del Toro's numbers in check. He had 66 days of racing in 2024 and it doesn't seem to have affected him in a negative way, quite the opposite.

This is a list of top riders born in 2003 or later with their racing days in 2025
- Romain Gregoire: 67
- Isaac Del Toro: 65
- Paul Magnier: 61 (will likely get to 70 if he races Guanxi)
- Matthew Brennan: 52
- Lenny Martinez: 61
- Giulio Pellizzari: 61
- Jan Christen: 52

The 2 riders who won't get to 60 are Brennan (the only neo pro in this list) and Christen (who was out almost 2 months after breaking his collarbone in March). I don't see Del Toro being particularly overraced compared to his peers.
 
If there's one team that has been overly cautious with their youngsters is UAE and I'm pretty sure they keep Del Toro's numbers in check. He had 66 days of racing in 2024 and it doesn't seem to have affected him in a negative way, quite the opposite.

This is a list of top riders born in 2003 or later with their racing days in 2025
- Romain Gregoire: 67
- Isaac Del Toro: 65
- Paul Magnier: 61 (will likely get to 70 if he races Guanxi)
- Matthew Brennan: 52
- Lenny Martinez: 61
- Giulio Pellizzari: 61
- Jan Christen: 52

The 2 riders who won't get to 60 are Brennan (the only neo pro in this list) and Christen (who was out almost 2 months after breaking his collarbone in March). I don't see Del Toro being particularly overraced compared to his peers.
Most of the data included in your post mirrors my opinion and what I see. It looks to me that UAE also has a built in relief valve because majority of Del Toro's racing is one day or shorter stage races. And it would appear that sending him to 1 grand tour in each of his first 2_years has been manageable.
If there are ill effects, some kind of long term body hangover from racing hard for 3 weeks, Isaac has had excellent results after racing Giro, so if his body was damaged and needed recovery, looks like it worked.
Tomorrow is another example of what I see as UAE relief valve, if any one of the individual races don't go well, he can drop or just not start and start another race when he feels better.
Worth noting, you mentioned Christen... Del Toro had some stupid moves in both his first 2 seasons. Crashed 5,6 times including an injury that limited his ability in gravel worlds, slight wrist and hand injury, no broken bones.
View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/ZBKRJbWXN0M

View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/-GQD5bckTOE

The montage could be much longer.. and the only difference between Del Toro walking away and Christen breaking his collarbone is just luck.. He is racing differently and not crashing as much.
 
If there's one team that has been overly cautious with their youngsters is UAE and I'm pretty sure they keep Del Toro's numbers in check. He had 66 days of racing in 2024 and it doesn't seem to have affected him in a negative way, quite the opposite.

This is a list of top riders born in 2003 or later with their racing days in 2025
- Romain Gregoire: 67
- Isaac Del Toro: 65
- Paul Magnier: 61 (will likely get to 70 if he races Guanxi)
- Matthew Brennan: 52
- Lenny Martinez: 61
- Giulio Pellizzari: 61
- Jan Christen: 52

The 2 riders who won't get to 60 are Brennan (the only neo pro in this list) and Christen (who was out almost 2 months after breaking his collarbone in March). I don't see Del Toro being particularly overraced compared to his peers.
These comparisons are misleading.

First, in 2024, Del Toro didn't ride the Giro to win it. He was in the Vuelta breakaways. And he was a domestique in most of the other races.

Neither Gregoire nor Brennan has ridden a Giro to win it. The physical strain on their days is less.

It's like comparing Magnier's four victories in Croatia with Pogacar's four victories in the Tour the France without saying that Pogacar is more physically demanding to win four stages in a Tour than Four days in Croatia.

The most obvious example is Pogacar. He won't be racing for 70 days, but his 48 days are much more exhausting than the 60 days of others.
It's more demanding to do Flanders and Roubaix in two days than Tirreno-Adriatico in six.

According to what you're saying, Gregoire has had a more demanding season than Pogacar because he's raced 15 more days...

Del Toro's season is much more demanding than his last year, and much more so than Gregoire's and Magnier's, who didn't ride a Giro d'Italia to win it. Magnier's most demanding race isn't even at the level Del Toro will have tomorrow in Emilia.

For Pogacar, Paris-Roubaix, one day, and all the previous training were more demanding than last year's Volta a Catalunya (more days)
You can't just list the race days and compare days without taking into account the demands of each days.
Or you are implying that Magnier or Gregoire had a more demanding schedule than Pogacar's.

The race days must be analyzed by their demands.
And Del Toro's demands this year have been excessive compared to last year. After the WC, they should have given him a rest.

UAE has also shown itself to be obsessed with setting the record for victories as high as possible.

Conclusion: According to the day list theory,
Pogacar 4
Magnier 4
(4 stages in Croatia = 4 stages in the Tour de France. Because what counts are the individual days without further analysis. 😉)

1 day Rwanda >>>> 3 days Croatia
Del Toro schedule 2025>Del Toro 2024>Greoire>Magnier>Brennan schedules
 
Last edited:
These comparisons are misleading.

First, in 2024, Del Toro didn't ride the Giro to win it. He was in the Vuelta breakaways. And he was a domestique in most of the other races.

Neither Gregoire nor Brennan has ridden a Giro to win it. The physical strain on their days is less.

It's like comparing Magnier's four victories in Croatia with Pogacar's four victories in the Tour the France without saying that Pogacar is more physically demanding to win four stages in a Tour than Four days in Croatia.

The most obvious example is Pogacar. He won't be racing for 70 days, but his 48 days are much more exhausting than the 60 days of others.
It's more demanding to do Flanders and Roubaix in two days than Tirreno-Adriatico in six.

According to what you're saying, Gregoire has had a more demanding season than Pogacar because he's raced 15 more days...

Del Toro's season is much more demanding than his last year, and much more so than Gregoire's and Magnier's, who didn't ride a Giro d'Italia to win it. Magnier's most demanding race isn't even at the level Del Toro will have tomorrow in Emilia.

For Pogacar, Paris-Roubaix, one day, and all the previous training were more demanding than last year's Volta a Catalunya (more days)
You can't just list the race days and compare days without taking into account the demands of each days.
Or you are implying that Magnier or Gregoire had a more demanding schedule than Pogacar's.

The race days must be analyzed by their demands.
And Del Toro's demands this year have been excessive compared to last year. After the WC, they should have given him a rest.

UAE has also shown itself to be obsessed with setting the record for victories as high as possible.

Conclusion: According to the day list theory,
Pogacar 4
Magnier 4
(4 stages in Croatia = 4 stages in the Tour de France. Because what counts are the individual days without further analysis. 😉)

1 day Rwanda >>>> 3 days Croatia
Del Toro schedule 2025>Del Toro 2024>Greoire>Magnier schedules
Yeah Del Toro has looked absolutely exhausted to me after the giro…
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Sandisfan
Always hard to know when people are exaggerating but you are Mexican? Apologies if I should know more about Del Toro's early life and childhood.
I don't know how much of the Del Toro evolution story that they want out there, meaning Isaac, his friends and family.
But here's some usable data. Eder Frayre, an excellent racer, 33 years old, former national champion, multiple US based pro teams for @8-9 years.. raced Olympics representing Mexico, has raced in multiple worlds now including in support of Del Toro in Kigali.
Eder had top 10 in initial Baltimore Cycling Classic, Eder also won GC at this years Redlands Cycling Classic, one of the more difficult US stage races.
Eder is and has been a reliable fixture on Ensenada cycling scene and has been in arms distance to Isaac since he was a young boy.
So Del Toro has had immediate access to sound cycling advice for all of his racing career.. to the present. Del Toro raced in a popular local club sponsored by Auto- Tec..
I leave the backstory of that company to someone else.. but if you don't want to dig through internet data about who and what are Auto-Tec ..it's an excellent company with excellent people who make many products for bicycle industry and wheels in general. Many of their products are made for a range of wheelchairs from medium grade to super high end racing chairs. People associated with the company are good bike racers including holding national champion title for masters and have connections to excellent American racing teams. For much of Isaac's formative years he was wearing loose fitting jerseys and clothing provided by sponsor, he rode around in vans with other bratty bikers get shuttled between training rides,races and countless days on mountain bike outings.
I am just guessing but seeing childhood photos from Pogacar, Vingegaard, and some other notables, just guessing that although he fell in love with bike racing in Mexico, Del Toro looks to be following a similar trajectory to other talent.
I can't tell the future like everyone else but if I had to make a prediction,
Del Toro being over raced, burned out or being subjected to UAE doing something accidentally physically or mentally damaging is highly, highly unlikely.
Isaac is surrounded by the best in the business and his evolution has similar sound people providing good advice and support.
If I were to try to give Cycling111 some calming influence.. If Del Toro needs any advice on overdoing it, if he wants to avoid completely or starts to see or feel signs of burnout he will ask Tadej Pogacar or a rider slightly ahead of him in the process like Brandon McNulty..
He has access to the best resources in bike racing.
I think that the opinions of Cycling111 are shared by thousands, what 111 is writing makes sense.
These comparisons are misleading.

First, in 2024, Del Toro didn't ride the Giro to win it. He was in the Vuelta breakaways. And he was a domestique in most of the other races.

Neither Gregoire nor Brennan has ridden a Giro to win it. The physical strain on their days is less.

It's like comparing Magnier's four victories in Croatia with Pogacar's four victories in the Tour the France without saying that Pogacar is more physically demanding to win four stages in a Tour than Four days in Croatia.

The most obvious example is Pogacar. He won't be racing for 70 days, but his 48 days are much more exhausting than the 60 days of others.
It's more demanding to do Flanders and Roubaix in two days than Tirreno-Adriatico in six.

According to what you're saying, Gregoire has had a more demanding season than Pogacar because he's raced 15 more days...

Del Toro's season is much more demanding than his last year, and much more so than Gregoire's and Magnier's, who didn't ride a Giro d'Italia to win it. Magnier's most demanding race isn't even at the level Del Toro will have tomorrow in Emilia.

For Pogacar, Paris-Roubaix, one day, and all the previous training were more demanding than last year's Volta a Catalunya (more days)
You can't just list the race days and compare days without taking into account the demands of each days.
Or you are implying that Magnier or Gregoire had a more demanding schedule than Pogacar's.

The race days must be analyzed by their demands.
And Del Toro's demands this year have been excessive compared to last year. After the WC, they should have given him a rest.

UAE has also shown itself to be obsessed with setting the record for victories as high as possible.

Conclusion: According to the day list theory,
Pogacar 4
Magnier 4
(4 stages in Croatia = 4 stages in the Tour de France. Because what counts are the individual days without further analysis. 😉)

1 day Rwanda >>>> 3 days Croatia
You are correct that his season is demanding but lots of relief in between efforts and he is still displaying snap and not stale from his legs.
Only the uninformed take Kigali as a negative.
He was coming off Italian outings that were mostly fruitful.. And he spent a week riding with Tadej..so you would assume that when you are training everyday with the guy, your friend who wins the world championship... Again that has to be a boost not a bummer.
Isaac is eating this stuff up.. Talk about addiction.. Went to the Giro..found out if he punches it guys like Richard Carapaz and Wout Van Aert have a hard time keeping his wheel.. He is still drunk from the confidence all this is giving him.
Look at Cian's data set that is mostly ,I can't, I didn't, not sure,
compare that to Del Toro data were Pogacar is convincing him of crazy!
Come on man, when I say go ...let's break away and try to drop these guys.. Obviously Del Toro couldn't do it, who cares, he thought he could, Tadej thought he could..
Del Toro is enjoying an everyday birthday party with unlimited cake..despite his sick stomach in Rwanda he is racing in Italy for another 5 days! Kid can't get enough cake, doesn't like the party to end.
If these teams were smart pay someone to protest or steal his bikes, clothing, shoes, all this winning and being surrounded by winning, winners is creating a Mexican Charlie Sheen complete with tiger blood.. Ooops I forgot, Charlie Sheen is Mexican, my bad.
 
These are consequences that are seen over time. Hopefully, in a year, we won't be talking about Del Toro's physical or mental fatigue.

I don't know what's happening to Morgado, for example. Last year had a lot fo demand in spring in his first professional season. He got sick a lot in the second half of the season, and this season his shape hasn't lasted as long.

I hope you're right, but my perception is that Del Toro is being squeezed too hard, which he could pay for over time.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: Sandisfan
This one was a real labor. Pidcock really raced well and you gotta assume that he was just surviving at the finish. Del Toro was humping and bumping to cross the gap, Isaac looked like he was, almost doing push ups trying to crush energy into the bike, big effort. When he made it Pidcock didn't have anything left to pulse Del Toro who was, able to just pace from Pidcock and recover enough to win the sprint. Both guys raced great. Pidcock has really been reborn at Q36..everything is going right for him.. Del Toro is making it almost a given that if it's in Italy he is going to win..
Tomorrow is Coppa Agostoni..
 
  • Like
Reactions: hayneplane

TRENDING THREADS