A third WorldTour stage race victory in 2026 for Isaac del Toro? Analysing the Itzulia Basque Country contenders

Isaac del Toro, the burgeoning Mexican talent, is reportedly set to contend for a third WorldTour stage race victory in 2026, with the Itzulia Basque Country highlighted as a potential battleground. The CyclingNews article posits a thrilling duel with former teammate Juan Ayuso, while also naming Paul Seixas and Primož Roglič as significant contenders waiting in the wings for the prestigious event.

This speculation, though premature given the 2026 timeframe, underscores del Toro's meteoric rise since turning professional. His impressive debut season has clearly marked him as a future Grand Tour contender, and any mention of him in the same breath as established stars like Roglič, or rising talents like Ayuso and Seixas, speaks volumes about his perceived trajectory. It also reflects the increasing trend of young riders making an immediate impact at the highest level, bypassing the traditional slow burn of development.

Ultimately, this early prognostication serves as a testament to del Toro's undeniable potential, but perhaps more so, to the cycling media's insatiable appetite for the next big rivalry.