he should be angry with himself for not following Blacks wheel. He was right in his wheel and just sat up. What did he expect to happen?
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Or that his progress will be more in line with what we're used to. It's not as if he took a step back, in the sense that this Vuelta had a stronger field and harder parcours than 2022. He may never have a breakout moment but being a consistent podium contender would put him on line to win a GT if conditions come together. He has all the tools already.I've been disappointed with his Vuelta. In fairness, he had a terrible (pre-)season riddled with injury, and I want to see where he stands next year after a full winter, but I had expected to see more flashes of greatness. He's young, performances can go up and down, but there was never this aura of holy smokes, he's arrived. He's been living like a pro for so long now, I'm questioning how much more progression he can make. Next year certainly won't be do or die by any means, but it's time for that big breakthrough to superstardom.
This could very well be the other side of the medal of junior professionalism.
Almeida is listed as signed through 2026 on PCS. Pog 2027 and Ayuso 2028. The "no work for Pogacar" stipulation I've only recently read about in their contracts blow my mind to be honest. But then again that probably explains why the signed Adam Yates on presumably big money considering they weren't lacking for leaders at all. It also makes me doubt the thoughts I had that Yates would surely target the Giro next year while Almeida would likely finally do the Tour.Really not sure that UAE are the best at developing young talents. To my recollection, Ayuso is signed through 2028 and like Almeida, with the stipulation that he doesn't need to ride with/for Pogačar (which I suppose made sense to someone at the time), so we'll see which way the cookie crumbles.
Of course, with the injury curtailing his season, a GC 4th place in a GT at 21 years of age is not to sneeze at.
Interesting possibility. If true I question the wisdom of guaranteeing a 20 year old that kind of protected status. He could learn a lot by Pogacar's side in the Tour.Almeida is listed as signed through 2026 on PCS. Pog 2027 and Ayuso 2028. The "no work for Pogacar" stipulation I've only recently read about in their contracts blow my mind to be honest. But then again that probably explains why the signed Adam Yates on presumably big money considering they weren't lacking for leaders at all. It also makes me doubt the thoughts I had that Yates would surely target the Giro next year while Almeida would likely finally do the Tour.
Also, I wonder if Pogacar doesn't do the Vuelta not because he doesn't want to or because he's too tired, but because UAE has to let Ayuso and Almeida lead those races as per their contract.
That's what Thijs Zonneveld said. Haven't read it anywhere else though. But he's not someone who would just make that up... not a Jerome Pineau, so to speak.Almeida is listed as signed through 2026 on PCS. Pog 2027 and Ayuso 2028. The "no work for Pogacar" stipulation I've only recently read about in their contracts blow my mind to be honest. But then again that probably explains why the signed Adam Yates on presumably big money considering they weren't lacking for leaders at all. It also makes me doubt the thoughts I had that Yates would surely target the Giro next year while Almeida would likely finally do the Tour.
Also, I wonder if Pogacar doesn't do the Vuelta not because he doesn't want to or because he's too tired, but because UAE has to let Ayuso and Almeida lead those races as per their contract.
I think Mas was better last year than this time around, but is otherwise the best comparison. In 2022, Ayuso lost 2'22" in the mountains to Mas, I think. This time around the only real difference between them was when Mas went over his limit on Javalambre and dropped from Rogla and Vingegaard in the last km.Compared to last year's Vuelta winner, Ayuso did significantly better. The level was probably just a bit higher this year. Makes sense, with Roglic who was properly prepared, and the reigning Tour champion both at the start.
I don't think Ayuso had optimal preparation, but he did manage to keep a decent to good level for three weeks, and that's a good sign for the future.
Interesting possibility. If true I question the wisdom of guaranteeing a 20 year old that kind of protected status. He could learn a lot by Pogacar's side in the Tour.
It was being said last year too though for both riders that they have this stipulation in their contract before Adam was signed.That's what Thijs Zonneveld said. Haven't read it anywhere else though. But he's not someone who would just make that up... not a Jerome Pineau, so to speak.
Yeah, could be.I've been disappointed with his Vuelta. In fairness, he had a terrible (pre-)season riddled with injury, and I want to see where he stands next year after a full winter, but I had expected to see more flashes of greatness. He's young, performances can go up and down, but there was never this aura of holy smokes, he's arrived. He's been living like a pro for so long now, I'm questioning how much more progression he can make. Next year certainly won't be do or die by any means, but it's time for that big breakthrough to superstardom.
This could very well be the other side of the medal of junior professionalism.
I think Mas was better last year than this time around, but is otherwise the best comparison. In 2022, Ayuso lost 2'22" in the mountains to Mas, I think. This time around the only real difference between them was when Mas went over his limit on Javalambre and dropped from Rogla and Vingegaard in the last km.
I don't think Rodriguez would have done much better than Ayuso in this Vuelta. Yes, he could have been 4th in the Tour, but he only featured when Pogi and Vingo were doing track stands on a climb.Yeah, could be.
C-Rod is probably the best Spanish GT specialist right now. He would have likely finished 4th at the Tour without that nasty crash.
I think most of us just assumed that Ayuso was more talented than him. I'm still leaning towards that, but barely.
Agreed, but it's still a step up from last year. It's also the reason why I have Mas higher than Ayuso in the GC power ranking.Disregarding Jumbo for a moment, IMO Ayuso being roughly the same level as Mas in the mountains is not a good sign considering that Mas crashed in the Tour and could not train on the road for 3 weeks after and then crashed again once he got back to training.
Certainly pre-season and early season were not good for Ayuso, but being able to win stages and podium the TdS was indicative that he was over his health problems.
But maybe his crashes pre-Vuelta and during the Vuelta had a bigger effect
He was significantly better than last year and instead of being 3 min behind Mas was 1 min ahead this time. The top 3 being as good as they were clouds this imo.Quite disappointed in his performance during the Vuelta, after last year I expected more of him