Isaac Del Toro Dominates on Jebel Hafeet to Seize UAE Tour Lead (2026)
In a stunning display of climbing strength and tactical maturity, Mexican rider Isaac Del Toro delivered one of the defining performances of the 2026 UAE Tour, powering to victory atop Jebel Hafeet and taking control of the overall general classification on Stage 6 of the UCI WorldTour stage race.
A Decisive Mountain Assault
Stage 6, held on 21 February 2026, featured a grueling 168 km course from Al Ain Museum to the summit of Jebel Hafeet, one of the toughest climbs on the UAE Tour calendar. With steep gradients and a sustained final ascent, it was widely seen as the pivotal day for overall contenders.
Del Toro, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, entered the day 21 seconds behind Italian rider Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) in the general classification, with both set to battle for the coveted red leader’s jersey.
As the peloton approached the brutal final climb, veteran climbers and GC favorites began to make their moves. But it was Del Toro who sparked the decisive break: 2.5 km from the summit, he launched a powerful attack that only he could sustain.
Tiberi, who had claimed overall leadership earlier in the week with his own summit finish win, simply could not match the Mexican’s acceleration. Del Toro rode solo over the final kilometers, extending his advantage and crossing the line with a commanding margin.
Results & Overall Lead
Del Toro’s victory on Jebel Hafeet marked his second stage win of the race and was enough to overhaul the GC standings:
- Stage 6 Winner & Overall Leader: Isaac Del Toro – now 20 seconds ahead of Tiberi
- Second Place on Stage: Luke Plapp (Australia)
- Third Place on Stage: Felix Gall (Austria)
- Tiberi: 31 seconds back on the stage, now second overall
- Remco Evenepoel: Struggled on the climb, finishing further back and dropping to 10th overall
With the final stage a relatively flat sprint day, Del Toro’s advantage is likely enough to secure overall victory at the eighth edition of the UAE Tour, barring dramatic late changes.
Del Toro’s Reaction
After the stage, Del Toro reflected on his performance with quiet confidence:
“Today is one of the top three victories in my career. It’s so special… I just tried not to pass my limit and believed in myself.”
This triumph underscores his rapid rise in the elite ranks of professional cycling, following a breakthrough season in which he finished second overall at the Giro d’Italia — one of cycling’s Grand Tours last year.
What This Means for the UAE Tour
Del Toro’s win represents a major shift in the race dynamics:
- It breaks the hold of former leaders like Remco Evenepoel, who struggled on the mountainous tests, and Antonio Tiberi, who could not defend his lead.
- It highlights Del Toro’s climbing prowess — arguably one of the best displays of pure strength in the 2026 early season racing.
- It reinforces the UAE Tour’s reputation as a battleground for future stars and overall contenders on the WorldTour.
As the tour closes with a final stage tomorrow, anticipation builds around whether Del Toro can hold off any late surprises — but his performance on Jebel Hafeet has all but cemented his name atop the leaderboard heading into the finale.