Juan Ayuso discussion thread

[Red Rick]

Juan Ayuso is the new mountain sprinter

 

[Jan the Man]

I expect him to improve, relative to others who already have a GT in their legs. I still suspect he’s a step below the two JV riders but it would not surprise to see him split the two if race tactics (in chasing the win) dictate that either Vigne or Roglic loses some time in inadvertendly assisting the other.

 

[Andy schleck]

This guy is really talented.

 

[staubsauger]

7 seconds won for Jumbo on a perfect day. That's nothing if we suggest that Ayuso actually improves during the race while Vingegaard declines and Ayuso takes time on Roglic in the TT. At least based on the Tour de Suisse & Giro d'Italia flat TT's.

The kid still has it in his own hands on Tourmalet & Angliru. If yesterday was his mediocre day like towards Leukerbad, then Jumbo still has a nut to crack. If Ayuso ends up 2nd it's still a fantastic result of course.

I expect every favorite to fluctuate in his performances due to their preparation though. We're up for a tight Vuelta a Espana!

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Strong by Ayuso yesterday, more impressive than Monday. He's a legit podium contender. Can he go for the victory? Who knows, he still can improve and at such a young age we can expect a breakout performance at some point (i.e. like Teddy's in PDBF). A lot will depend on Vinge's an Rogla's form though. They are two favourites (albeit one of them might fade later on).

 

[CyclistAbi]

Impressive so far and as far as the team support goes. Here i am not all that sure he can rely on that. Especially now that Vine is out of the race. We'll see.

 

[Didinho]

He's gonna win it all.

 

[balac]

Juan said that the goal is to lose less than 30 seconds to Remco and be in the times of Roglic and Vingegaard on the ITT.

 

[hfgon1]

He shouldnt be underestimated from his actual position. Not that loudly till now but only 2:25 down on Kuss and 1:16 on Remco. The best stages for his strenghts should still lie in front of him. He remains something like a "dark horse" in this race. Most guys talk about Evenepoel, Roglic and Vingegaard, probably about Kuss too from his leading position. But not much have his eyes on Ayuso who is still in the mix to win it all and would have a great team to back him up too.

 

[balac]

Crashed today in the neutral zone. Looks like it's only some contusions, but still. Not great news with Tourmalet in 2 days.

 

[balac]

Juan said that he's feeling the crash (said yesterday that his back is hurting quite a bit) and he's not at 100%, but he's doing what he can. He's obviously not happy with the situation, they will try to at least win a stage and get on the podium. 2 days after the crash is when the effects are worse, so it's not that bad.

 

[Valv.Piti]

These two were the stages, so its very unfortunate for Juan. Oh well, but he's feeling better tomorrow and the effect of the crash should be gone by stage 16, 17 and 18

 

[Miss Violet Smith]

Still hoping for podium for Ayuso.

 

[Red Rick]

Just wait he's gonna destroy everyone on the hardest stages

 

[Valv.Piti]

Just wait he's gonna destroy everyone on the hardest stages

Yes, nobody has said that. We have said its where he's the strongest, but its obviously impossible at this stage with 3 Jumbos on his wheel. Also, the crash doesn't really help.

I think he will be the second strongest on 17 and 18, but a podium is still very hard now

 

[pastronef]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1701304612131680648

View: https://www.twitter.com/CamachoPamina/status/1701304612131680648

https://twitter.com/x/status/1701301236887073021

View: https://www.twitter.com/medicinexthings/status/1701301236887073021

 

[Valv.Piti]

Good chances of a podium. Roglic didn't have it on Tourmalet and today, and Angliru is the true judge of your legs. Smart riding by him by marking Roglic as he's the weakest one and therefore the gateway to the podium.

 

[SafeBet]

Good chances of a podium. Roglic didn't have it on Tourmalet and today, and Angliru is the true judge of your legs. Smart riding by him by marking Roglic as he's the weakest one and therefore the gateway to the podium.

Why mark Roglic and not use the team to attack him then? What's smart in sending FFB of all people on an unrealistic chase instead of having him drill the climb to prepare an Ayuso's attack? Perhaps not his choice but UAE's team today we're beyond ridiculous.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

some of the weirdest team tactics I've seen outside of Movistar and old-school Rabofail.

 

[Mayomaniac]

some of the weirdest team tactics I've seen outside of Movistar and old-school Rabofail.

Maybe they think they need to go full Rabofail to turn into Jumbo Visma afterwards...

 

[Billie]

Why mark Roglic and not use the team to attack him then? What's smart in sending FFB of all people on an unrealistic chase instead of having him drill the climb to prepare an Ayuso's attack? Perhaps not his choice but UAE's team today we're beyond ridiculous.

Black didn't attack. He started pacing with Ayuso in his wheel and Ayuso just sat up for some reason.
If he had just stayed in Blacks wheel they would have arrived at the foot of the final steep 1.5ks with like 10-15 secs behind Vingegaard.

Ayuso and Almeida are too cautious, spend too much time looking at their head unit.

 

[balac]

Matxin said that their comms went down and Ayuso wasn't happy at all in the interview.

Even then, they could have taken 20-30 secs on Kuss and maybe be close to Vingegaard. But TJV has 3 of the 5 best climbers of the race, once you've gifted Kuss 3 minutes, you just played into their hands. At least it will be a good learning lesson that they can't just gift Kuss minutes if they want to win a GT. Soler is just not on the level of climbing of Kuss, so that breakaway was not on their advantage.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

I think both Jumbo and UAE did everything right today.

Fisher-Black was strong and so rode for the stage win. You cannot know what happens to Vingegaard at the front. So Fisher-Black chased Vinge in order to win the stage - what would have been an incredible achievement for him.

 

[CyclistAbi]

I don't believe Ayuso, Mas, Remco ... will play a role on Angliru. It's now an internal matter. But they can for sure play along.

 

[tobydawq]

With Ayuso being angry after yesterday, maybe he realises that he and UAE are never gonna work out.

Maybe he can form part of a trident with Roglic and Remco next year at Ineos.