TURIN – A bow to Superga launches Isaac Del Toro among the greats and makes his captains smile. If the incessant support to Juan Ayuso to the Tirreno-Adriatico from last week, Here is the blaze of victory in the oldest classic in history, which until now had never been won by a Mexican rider. A flash of brilliance that comes right in the week leading up to the Milan-Sanremo, the declared goal of world champion Tadej Pogacar.
The twenty-one year old of the UAE Team Emirates He's serious and his success in the Milan-Turin race, which featured the more traditional finish line in front of the Basilica, is a strong signal. Just think that People of the calibre of Alberto Contador (2012) and Primoz Roglic (2021) had triumphed here. Without forgetting Vincenzo Nibali's second Italian title at the 2015 Italian Championship.
On the route of the greats
While waiting to become as big as the names just mentioned, Isaac focuses on his captains. He makes the press room erupt in laughter when we ask him: the differences between running for two phenomena like Pogacar or Ayuso, responding with a joke which goes hand in hand with the feast of St. Joseph.
«They are two very different people, it's a bit like talking about the differences between your dad and your mom. – he says with a smile in excellent Italian – they are two friends and I am happy to work and offer my version of myself for them. At this moment they are the strongest and everyone has seen it. One won the Strade Bianche on one leg and the other was the best at the Tirreno. I'm there for them, and for me, being the last or second-to-last man fills me with happiness."
Last year everyone remembers his forcing on Cipressa who had put most of the Sanremo favorites on the ropes. Everyone considers him a key player in the world champion's dreams of glory, before returning to serve the pink ambitions of the newly crowned king of the two seas.
But Isaac is in no hurry and takes one run at a time: «Now I just want to think about the Milan-Sanremo. Tour of Italy there's still a long way to go, So I don't want to overexert myself. I'm ready to take on the responsibility, I want to do a good job and make a good impression with Tadej. I try to learn everything I can from him; he's a normal person. When he is with me he tries to take on all the responsibility that may be on me. and he always does it with great tranquility.
«Running with him is fun, we always joke a lot, I consider him a friend and just saying it seems incredible to me.».
Family UAE
Every World Tour team would love to have a domestique like him on their roster. A domestique capable of transforming into a team captain when needed, with class to spare and immense humility.
«I'm young, so I'm happy about the trust the team gives me and the example I set. here I had people like Covi or Adam (Yates, ed.) who put themselves at my service. This is truly a dream I'm living. I think it's the first race I've won here in Italy, winning here is incredible. I came to this country when I was 16 or 17, I've grown a lot as a cyclist, now I live and train in San Marino."
When asked what he expects from 2025, which has started so well, he replies: "The goal is to be consistent. We'll see how much freedom I'll have with the team. I just want to have fun on my bike. It's all so incredible, for my whole country and for my family."
Mexican Superga
Superga is Del ToroMany associate his name with the legendary Granata team that became immortal on May 4, 1949, following the terrible air tragedy that took them from this world. The talented Mexican listens attentively to the story, but candidly admits he doesn't follow football, before explaining the reason for his celebration.
«The bow - Says Del Toro - It was a thank you to all the fans I have around the world. It's truly incredible to have this following in Italy, France, and Spain, especially since I live so far away from my home country. So many people support me, and I wanted to thank them in this way."
The open jersey, the sly smile, and then that burst of speed in the final hundred meters that left no room for either Ben Tulett or Tobias Johannessen. And that's how he made the 2025 Milan-Turin his own.
«I don't always wake up with the right confidence, but today I had the right legs – he concludes Del Toro – In the finale, I found myself up against two very different riders. I knew that Johannessen was fast in the sprint, while Tulett was fearsome in a breakaway. I knew I was meaner and I tried to be smarter».
We saw it and Ayuso and Pogacar surely did too, as they cuddle their “son” and hold him close.
