Not Everything Is Soccer: Isaac del Toro Puts Mexico Back at the Top of World Cycling

While millions of fans have their eyes fixed on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, another Mexican is writing an extraordinary story on the other side of the Atlantic.

At just 22 years old, Isaac del Toro won the 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, one of the most prestigious stage races on the international calendar and traditionally considered a preparation event for the Tour de France. The cyclist from Ensenada, Baja California also claimed two consecutive mountain stages, including the final stage, overcoming the overall standings to secure the title.

With this victory, Del Toro has now earned three WorldTour stage-race victories in 2026, after winning both the UAE Tour and Tirreno-Adriatico, cementing his status as one of the brightest emerging stars in world cycling.

The Mexican delivered a memorable performance in the queen stage of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes by catching and dropping Spain’s Juan Ayuso on the final ascent to Grand Colombier, crossing the finish line alone and sending a clear message to his rivals ahead of Europe’s major summer races.

A day later, he repeated the feat. On the demanding climb to Solaison, Del Toro launched a devastating attack and once again reached the finish line solo, taking the overall lead from Australia’s Luke Tuckwell and winning the race.

“This is a very special victory for me and for the entire team,” Del Toro said after his victory. “We came into the final weekend believing we could still fight to win the race, and everyone committed themselves completely to that goal.”

The young Mexican’s success is no coincidence. Since the beginning of the year, Del Toro has strung together record results. In February, he won the UAE Tour, becoming one of the leaders of the powerful UAE Team Emirates-XRG. A month later, he conquered Tirreno-Adriatico, becoming the first North American cyclist to win the Italian race.

Experts and team executives have highlighted Del Toro’s exceptional talent and his ability to compete at the highest level alongside riders such as Slovenian star Tadej Pogačar, widely considered the best cyclist in the world. “He is a special talent,” Andrea Agostini, chief operating officer of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, said recently.

Del Toro’s rise has been meteoric. In 2025, he became the first Mexican to wear the maglia rosa as top contender of the Giro d’Italia and finished as runner-up in the race. This year, he already ranks second in the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) world rankings, behind only his teammate Pogačar.

Now, the Mexican is preparing for his next major challenge: the Tour de Suisse, the final major race before the Tour de France, where he will compete alongside stars such as Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, Primož Roglič, and Tom Pidcock.

At a time when soccer dominates headlines and conversations, Isaac del Toro is reminding the world that Mexico also has heroes on two wheels.

Source: Mexican Press Agency