"I made mistakes that I solved with a very strong mentality," says Del Toro after Giro d'Italia

Del Toro started three weeks ago as a domestique in the Giro d'Italia, but it wasn't Juan Ayuso or Adam Yates who stood on the Giro podium on behalf of UAE Emirates-XRG. Is this a different Del Toro than the one who started in Albania?

"I don't know if I'm a different Isaac del Toro. I'm a bit more optimistic; otherwise, I'm still the same person. It's a surprise that I'm here, but I've found a great confirmation for myself. The team has also supported me fantastically, which I think they do because they see something in me," the friendly Mexican wonders aloud.

Del Toro says he owes it to his teammates that he has come this far. "Thanks to them, I am here now and couldn't be prouder. Of course, it wasn't nice to lose the jersey, but I have to use that experience to be even more determined next time and do everything right. Sometimes, the person who makes the fewest mistakes is the one who wins. I will come back stronger."

"I'll remember this race as confirmation that I can achieve great things. I have to enjoy it, keep working hard, and then we'll be back," said Del Toro, who doesn't want to philosophize too much about what could have happened on Saturday. "Everyone will want to change something. I understand that people have opinions about what happened, but on such a steep climb, you have to make decisions in an instant. That's what I did."

"All my choices over the past three weeks have brought me to where I am now. And I can be proud of that. I competed for the prizes throughout the entire race, and I'm only realizing that now," concluded the Mexican, who also gave a clear answer to the question about his future plans. “Eat a lot tonight. What? I don't know yet.”

A day after the final stage in Rome, Del Toro reflected on his Giro at length on his Instagram page. "What a race! I couldn’t be happier or more proud. It was a big dream to be here now and be able to realize my dreams with the help of my idols. They still don’t realize I’m their fan, but I have to be mature and follow my dreams," wrote the Mexican.

”By far, it was my best race I did. I couldn’t be more proud. I made mistakes that I solved with a very strong mentality, and that’s something to be proud of. I’m young, and obviously I’ll come back very strong from this. You saw it. I’m never going to give up, and it was very nice to fight until the end. I tried so many things, and the emotions are enormous, and I couldn’t be happier," said Del Toro.

After three weeks of the Giro d'Italia, the UAE top talent was full of gratitude. "Thank you again, family. Thank you guys. I love you. Thank you, Mexico. Thank you, Italy. Thank you all. This is incredible. Thank you to the peloton for the support and morale throughout the Giro. These three weeks were incredible, and I don’t regret a thing."

And now? "I little rest for me," Del Toro concluded.