Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) drew first blood in the 2026 UAE Tour, snatching a sensational victory away from the sprinters on stage 1 on Monday.
The Mexican, a leading contender for the overall title, launched a vicious acceleration on a draggy finish that had the pure sprinters gasping for breath.
Cees Bol (Decathlon CMA CGM) came back as Del Toro’s speed faded but the line came soon enough for the 22-year-old to celebrate his first victory on his first appearance of the season.
Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) claimed the final spot on the podium on the same time despite a small gap back from Del Toro and Bol.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s crazy,” Del Toro said. “I don’t know exactly [how it happened] but I just see the chance and I don’t want to regret it.”
How it unfolded
The opening stage of the seven-day WorldTour race had to be shortened due to high wind, with the two laps of the cycle track in the Moreeb dunes scrapped for safety reasons, but there was no echelon action and a high-speed bunch finish ensued.
That was until the riders hit the home straight in the final kilometre, which dragged up at a gradient of 5% and brought the puncheurs into play against the sprint trains.
Ineos Grenadiers were in pole position, leading out Sam Welsford, but the Australian sank like a stone as accelerations came over the top. When Axel Huens (Groupama-FDJ) almost accidentally opened a gap, Del Toro sensed his opportunity and came surging through the middle of the pack, opening a lead of several bike lengths in the process.
Bol led the grinding charge from behind and it looked like Del Toro was fading as he sat in the saddle but he managed to lift himself for one final surge in the final 30 metres, which took him over the line by a wheel.
“Yeah,” Del Toro said when asked if his move was planned. “Quite honestly I was thinking maybe it’s a chance, but maybe a dream not realistic. It’s just crazy.”
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), a leading contender for the stage, was taken out of contention by a crash through a roundabout just outside the flamme rouge – the Italian finished the stage but in some pain.
Del Toro pulls on the first leader’s jersey of the 2026 UAE Tour and helps himself to 10 bonus seconds, securing an early advantage over key GC rival Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe) ahead of Tuesday’s stage 2 time trial.
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