Isaac del Toro abandons Itzulia Basque Country after crash early on stage 3

Isaac del Toro, the promising young Mexican cyclist riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, was forced to abandon the Itzulia Basque Country race early on stage three following a crash. The incident occurred with around 85 kilometres remaining on the 152.8-kilometre stage, which both started and finished in Basauri. Del Toro withdrew due to unspecified injuries, cutting short his participation in a race where he had been considered a strong contender. Del Toro’s start to the Itzulia Basque Country had been inconsistent, with an eighth-place finish in the opening time trial leaving him 51 seconds behind race leader Paul Seixas of Decathlon CMA CGM. He then lost nearly two minutes to Seixas on the second stage, which the Frenchman also won. At the time of his withdrawal, Del Toro was placed eighth overall, a position that reflected both his potential and the challenges he faced in this demanding stage race. The 22-year-old has been highlighted as one of the most exciting talents in the peloton, having claimed victories at the UAE Tour and Tirreno-Adriatico, along with a podium finish at Strade Bianche behind teammate Tadej Pogačar. His impressive form in 2025 also included a second-place finish at the Giro d’Italia, marking him out as a rider to watch in the upcoming classics season. Del Toro is expected to compete in the Amstel Gold Race and the Ardennes Classics before preparing for his debut Tour de France. While Del Toro’s withdrawal is a setback, it is notable that he has rarely abandoned races early in his career, with his last Did Not Finish (DNF) recorded at the 2025 GP Miguel Indurain. There has been no update on the severity of his injuries or when he might return to competition, leaving some uncertainty around his immediate racing plans. His team and supporters will be hoping for a swift recovery to see him back in action soon.