Isaac del Toro is the leader of UAE Team Emirates in the challenging final week of the Giro d’Italia. The team management made it clear on Monday that the pink jersey wearer will receive all support.
Juan Ayuso started the Giro d’Italia over two weeks ago as the main contender for UAE Team Emirates. The Spaniard stated that he was going for the overall victory, but after fifteen stages he is behind his teammate Del Toro in the general classification.
The 21-year-old Mexican is the leader, with a lead of 1 minute and 20 seconds over number two Simon Yates. Ayuso is third at 1 minute and 26 seconds.
The hierarchy at UAE Team Emirates has therefore changed, the team management confirmed for the first time on Monday. “Isaac has proven that he is the strongest rider in the race,” said sporting manager Joxean ‘Matxin’ Fernández at a digital press conference. “He has earned that we will support him to keep the pink jersey.”
According to team leader Fabio Baldato, the rest of the team will work for Del Toro. “Isaac is our leader,” the Italian was clear.
Del Toro could become the first Mexican with a Giro victory
Del Toro could become the first Mexican to win a Grand Tour. The climber is considered a great talent, but he is only riding his second three-week stage race. Last year he finished 36th in the Vuelta a España.
Ayuso has already proven more, with a third (2022) and a fourth place (2023) in the Vuelta. But the 22-year-old Spaniard will now probably have to put aside his own ambitions for Del Toro. Last year, Ayuso had difficulty in the Tour de France with a role as a domestique for Tadej Pogacar.
Del Toro is far from certain of the overall victory, because the last week of the Giro d’Italia is, as always, extremely tough. The riders still have to complete four tough mountain stages. The finish is uphill in two of those stages – on Tuesday and Saturday.
“I think I have shown that I have the legs to defend the pink jersey in the final week,” Del Toro said on Monday on the last rest day. “It will be a new experience for me, but I have good people around me to guide me. We are in a good position, also as a team.”