New rival for Van der Poel, Del Toro appears unexpectedly at the E3

The E3 Saxo Classic 2026 was set to follow a very clear script with Mathieu van der Poel as the great dominator in the absence of several key figures, but the last-minute entry of Isaac del Toro changes the scenario and adds a new focus of interest to the Belgian classic.

Isaac del Toro bursts onto the E3 Saxo Classic and emerges as the unexpected rival to Van der Poel

The Dutchman arrives as a two-time consecutive winner with the option to secure a third straight victory, something that seemed more than feasible without Tadej Poga?ar and with Wout van Aert's participation in doubt. However, the inclusion of the young Mexican in the UAE Team Emirates XRG lineup introduces a variable that was not in the initial forecasts.

According to the Dutch media Wielerflits, after speaking with the race organization, Del Toro would join a already solid block that also includes riders like Florian Vermeersch and Nils Politt, reinforcing a structure that goes from being competitive to having a card capable of contesting the race. His presence also responds to a last-minute change within the team following Tim Wellens' withdrawal, which opens the door to a very demanding debut for the Mexican.

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Del Toro's recent performance largely explains the generated expectation. In just a few weeks, he has chained top-level results, with victories in stage races, constant presence in demanding finishes, and a decisive role in Milan-San Remo. Additionally, his ability to perform in mixed terrains has been demonstrated both in Strade Bianche and in the gravel stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, where he showed that he does not shy away from challenging surfaces.

This profile is precisely what invites speculation that he may adapt better than expected to a cobbled classic like the E3. Although this will be his debut in this type of race, the organization points out that his explosiveness could fit well in key climbs of the route, especially in short and demanding sectors where much of the race is decided.

His calendar did not initially include this participation, with goals set further ahead like Itzulia or the Tour de France, which further reinforces the unexpected nature of his presence in Belgium. There has also been talk of the possibility of expanding his program towards the Ardennes classics, although for now there is no official confirmation.

Beyond names like Mads Pedersen or Tobias Lund Andresen, regular candidates in this type of event, attention now shifts to a duel that was not anticipated just a few days ago. Van der Poel remains the favorite, but Del Toro's emergence introduces an element of uncertainty that elevates the competitive interest of the race.