- Aug 6, 2014
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No, that's not it and nobody even implied such a thing. Not one person on earth is expecting him to counter Vingegaard. What we do expect and what is reasonable to expect is for him to progress into more than what he is now. Ayuso was the best teenage climber in the history of the sport. At 21 hardly a finished product, but knowing his background, the lack of progression is raising a fair few question marks and gives reason for concern.
Yesterday he was worse than Hindley, worse than O'Connor, worse than Arensman and, lettuce say, on an equal level to Del Toro. He needs to be better if he wants to cement himself as an elite contender at the absolutely highest level.
- Aug 6, 2014
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The FOMO sign-juniors-whatever-the-cost mentality has existed for longer, but Ayuso might be the first of what I call professional juniors. Living like a monk whilst still pretty much a kid. The only thing he didn't have at his disposal was a plane to Teide. Huge advantages short term, but how much progression is left long term? I don't have the numbers, but has Ayuso progressed as a climber since 2022? I do not know, based purely on eye test.
You compare him to his nemesis Carlos Rodriguez, and you can see the latter has visible year by year progression (though his '24 has been horrid thus far). You compare Ayuso to Tarling, who came through with baby fat and all, not training as intense, and I can only help but wonder how far he will be come year 4 of being a pro.
Maybe Ayuso shuts me the hell up today or during TDF, and I certainly don't want to hang my hat onto just this Tirreno, but this year does feel like an exam to me.
You compare him to his nemesis Carlos Rodriguez, and you can see the latter has visible year by year progression (though his '24 has been horrid thus far). You compare Ayuso to Tarling, who came through with baby fat and all, not training as intense, and I can only help but wonder how far he will be come year 4 of being a pro.
Maybe Ayuso shuts me the hell up today or during TDF, and I certainly don't want to hang my hat onto just this Tirreno, but this year does feel like an exam to me.
His now ex, Bask Inigo san Milan, has taken on more duties at the Athletic Bilbao football club and since looking after the world's number one cyclist is a full-time commitment, 37-year-old Spaniard Javier Sola is now taking care of his form. He joined the Emirates team last year, so far he has coached Domno Novak, Italian Diego Ulissi and British Adam Yates.
Source:slovenian newspaper "Vecer"
I am not getting into a who is right or wrong wanting to produce the inside info on UAE, I agree with your view on Javier, I agree with your view on Inigo and his real ability vs what is put out there by him, with that being agreed upon, It is fact that Inigo coaches Yates, from last year a and no again this year. Yates is happy with his coaching. Yes, Almeida, Ullisi, Tadej, McNulty, Hirschi all left Inigo for what they felt was a better coach inside the team and that is telling for anyone, but Yates is coached by Inigo. Your newspaper or info is on this 1 thing incorrect.
Source: Correct info.
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Great finish for him, thought he would lose the sprint
- Nov 16, 2013
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- May 5, 2010
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First GC in a WT stage race.
And to think there was some concern he'd be out after stage 3...
And to think there was some concern he'd be out after stage 3...
- Sep 17, 2020
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For a long time I felt he was a little overrated, but today he stepped up. I even think he could had followed 2023 Vingegaard today.
View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1776679120383967714
View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1776679120383967714
Cookster15
Moderator
- May 14, 2011
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I never thought he was overrated. How can you possibly overrate someone so young - still only 21? They have not reached their potential.
- Sep 17, 2020
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You can be overrated or underrated as both old or young. I don’t think it’s an age thing but a hype thing.
Why would he top at 22, 23 of age? That would be unlikely. Fx Pogacar still improving year by year.
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What do you base that on?
Firstly, Jonas was 13 seconds faster.
Secondly Jonas climed in headwind, wheras Ayuso climbed in tailwind. Huge difference.
Thirdly Jonas was alone, Ayuso was not.
That being said - i don't think he is overrated either. He is a huge talent.
Cookster15
Moderator
- May 14, 2011
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Nobody knows when riders will peak. I’d consider myself a neutral observer on Ayuso. Got to admit I was impressed by his early results at such a young age. Pog is an obvious outlier.
I don’t think Ayuso was hyped. To the contrary, people here started downplaying his potential prematurely IMO. Personally I like tenacious climbers - not natural climbers but strong. That’s Ayuso.
- Aug 6, 2014
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That's not how it works. Pogacar came in touch with professionalism at a later age, thereby leaving more room for improvement. He was 20 when he was still riding for Ljubljana, and by the time he got to UAE the Lampre stink was still over that team. Ayuso otoh, was riding high end bikes, training hard and working with a dietician at age 17, and came into a UAE team that had made strides into becoming a splendid team top to bottom.
Progression ain't a linear thing, but having access to the best situation is likely to make one peak/stagnate at an earlier age. It is something I think we'll be seeing a lot of in the near future, in this what I can professional junior era.
- Feb 21, 2019
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Even if Ayuso peaks at 23 he could still reach a level that enables him to win Grand Tours. I would actually say that the level that he showed in this Itzulia would be enough for him to win this Giro if he was the UAE leader instead of Pogačar. 2024 seems to be the year, he is stepping up to become one of the best GC riders in the world.
Next he is doing the Ardennes where I honestly don't have too many expectations and then according to PCS he is apparently riding Romandie which is a surprise given how much he is riding in April. I think originally he was planning to ride the Dauphiné even though that's not on PCS anymore, and likely without Vingegaard and Remco, he could be Roglič's only big rival there and then in the Tour, Ayuso will be a major weapon for UAE to play as he is stronger than any secondary leader.
Next he is doing the Ardennes where I honestly don't have too many expectations and then according to PCS he is apparently riding Romandie which is a surprise given how much he is riding in April. I think originally he was planning to ride the Dauphiné even though that's not on PCS anymore, and likely without Vingegaard and Remco, he could be Roglič's only big rival there and then in the Tour, Ayuso will be a major weapon for UAE to play as he is stronger than any secondary leader.
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- Sep 17, 2020
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Too inconsistent, too many off days! Ayuso trying to take Pogacar's spot as UAE leader. But tbh I think he should worry more about Del Toro for the second leader spot at the moment.
- Dec 28, 2010
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2nd and 1st in two of the biggest stage races so far this year, and leading another one until today. And he said yesterday that he's been feeling iffy since Flèche Wallonne. And still only 21. I wouldn't be too worried if I was him.
Very interesting. After Roglic (twice I think in GT's and once in the Tour 20, and of course this year in P-N), Pogacar (Tour 22 and 23), Evenepoel (a few times), Vlasov, Rodriguez, Bernal, the Yates-brothers, now Ayuso showed weakness in a stagerace. I think only Vingegaard didn't suffer from a breakdown since he reached the top in the Tour 21. OK, he was beaten once by Pogacar in a small stagrace at a time when it didn't matter.
Vingegaard will not participate at the Tour this year or will not be in great shape, Poga will have difficulties the second half of the Tour (after the Giro), his possible successor and teammate Ayuso also has weaknesses. So, the Tour is shaping up to be very interesting and is not predictable at all.
Vingegaard will not participate at the Tour this year or will not be in great shape, Poga will have difficulties the second half of the Tour (after the Giro), his possible successor and teammate Ayuso also has weaknesses. So, the Tour is shaping up to be very interesting and is not predictable at all.
- Mar 20, 2022
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Don't be silly. Context is very important. He would never win Pais Vasco with Vingegaard, Remco and Roglic in the race.
Tbf Del Toro hasn't been consistently amazing in every race he's done this year either. Ayuso has said he's not felt great since FW and he's been good (granted only human and not extraterrestrial) in all his stage races so far this season.
- Sep 12, 2022
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Genuinely think he'd win a Vuelta this year if not for Vingegaard going there to save his injury season (can't see the dane make it for the tour with his injuries)
- Apr 30, 2011
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Itzulia was down to one day. Today was the third in a row, and it shows.
He was also very meh on San Giacomo.
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