The Amstel Gold Race 2026 will proceed without one of its anticipated contenders as Isaac del Toro has been ruled out of Sunday’s WorldTour classic due to injury. The Mexican rider’s absence forces UAE Team Emirates to recalibrate their strategy for the Dutch monument just one day before the race begins.

Injury Forces Late Withdrawal

Del Toro’s participation ended before it could begin following a crash during the third stage of the Vuelta al País Vasco on April 3. The UAE Team Emirates rider suffered a muscle tear in his right thigh during the incident, initially attempting to continue racing despite the pain before being forced to abandon the Basque tour.

Medical assessments have revealed the severity of the injury requires several weeks of recovery, potentially extending up to a month. This timeline effectively eliminates del Toro from the opening weekend of the Ardennes classics, dealing a significant blow to both rider and team ambitions.

UAE Emirates Reshuffles Leadership

With del Toro sidelined, UAE Team Emirates has confirmed Tim Wellens as their designated leader for the Amstel Gold Race. The Belgian veteran brings extensive experience in the Ardennes classics to the role, though the team’s original tactical plans centered around del Toro’s climbing abilities will require adjustment.

The reshuffled lineup represents a significant strategic pivot for the Emirati squad, who had been building their spring campaign around del Toro’s promising early-season form. Wellens now carries the responsibility of salvaging the team’s ambitions on the challenging Dutch parcours.

Recovery Timeline Uncertain

The extent of del Toro’s injury casts doubt over his participation in the remaining Ardennes classics. His availability for both Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège remains uncertain, dependent entirely on his recovery progress over the coming weeks.

The Mexican rider’s medical team continues monitoring his rehabilitation, though no definitive return date has been established. The injury represents a frustrating setback for del Toro, who had been targeting the spring classics as a key objective for his 2026 campaign.

As the peloton prepares for Sunday’s demanding route through the Limburg hills, UAE Team Emirates faces the challenge of competing without one of their key assets, while del Toro begins the patient process of recovery with hopes of returning to competition as soon as medically possible.