Juan Ayuso discussion thread

[Cookster15]

So what makes one petulant and one not is Ayuso doesn't feel he could win, against Pogi?

I wouldn't put it as strongly as veganrob states but as a teammate if Ayuso can't win then he has an obligation to ride in support of Pogacar. And I think we have seen enough this Giro to confirm what most already knew - Ayuso is no Pogacar. If he was then it would be Ayuso and not Del Toro in pink.

 

[dazaau]

So Ayuso didn't want to work for Pogi and del Toro doesn't want to work for Ayuso? Might, after all, this be ageism related issue? Ayuso is after all an older rider, just like Pogi is.

Yes, 21 years young vs 22 years old. Ageism for sure. Due to their age gap I'm sure they have almost nothing in common. Only natural for the young to think they can do better than the old guard.

 

[CyclistAbi]

So who gets to tell the news to Ayuso and Yates, they are now riding is support of del Toro? Pogi and Simon respectively?

 

[Cycling111]

Today he was on the limit. He didn't lose time because he's on the Giro's strongest team, and they didn't push for him.

If Carapaz had had a strong team, or Yates had a strong Visma team, Ayuso would´ve lost time today.

He was saved by being on the strong team and by the fact that Del Toro didn't betray him. Something I think would´ve happened the other way, if Pogacar had struggled last year.
Del Toro today respected his team's orders, which were intended to save Ayuso. Del Toro has been the strongest this week; today he could´ve gain time from Ayuso, and probably from Bernal and Carapaz.

If he isn't stronger than Del Toro on Tuesday, the Mexican shouldn't wait any longer, lest Carapaz beat them.

 

[noob]

Ayuso was having a long time recovery from an injury 2023, was it the foot or the knee? Tendons? Or something else? I just remember he was bad for a looong time after joining UAE, and that he's very crash proned.

Maybe the injury is acting up?

 

[Cycling111]

Egan Bernal: "Ayuso came to thank me after the stage for waiting for him on Monte Grappa."

 

[Unchained]

Ayuso was having a long time recovery from an injury 2023, was it the foot or the knee? Tendons? Or something else? I just remember he was bad for a looong time after joining UAE, and that he's very crash proned.

Maybe the injury is acting up?

I was impressed that Ayuso is able to recover from getting gapped today from multiple hard pulse efforts.. The guy keeps crushing even when he feels like giving up, post below shows he will do anything to keep pace, including trade wheels with Bernal to reattach to front group. Even banged up he is still elite

 

[staubsauger]

Ayuso was having a long time recovery from an injury 2023, was it the foot or the knee? Tendons? Or something else? I just remember he was bad for a looong time after joining UAE, and that he's very crash proned.

Maybe the injury is acting up?

I think it was a tendon inflammation indeed. Only started his season in late spring.

That's why his TT win at Romandie and his performance up towards the Albulapass at the Tour de Suisse was quite impressive.

 

[CyclistAbi]

It depends on how bad the injuries are, ATM it seems that UAE is still riding in support of Ayuso. If capable, then Ayuso will need to ride against del Toro at one point, that is even if del Toro cracks it will still likely be perceived as Ayuso riding against him. Rather ungrateful situation to be in.

 

[CyclistAbi]

"We will be consistent, he has earned it" - Matxín confirms Isaac Del Toro may be protected on final Giro week

In the middle of the rest day before the decisive week of the Giro d'Italia 2025, UAE has returned to attend the media in a press conference. CiclismoAlDía and CyclingUpToDate were present at the stat...

cyclinguptodate.com

Looks like Ayuso is now out of the leadership position, starting week three.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Abandoned by the team.

 

[Unchained]

Abandoned by the team.

Hardly abandoned, he is super close with Yates, who will have to cover anything aggressive, not only for UAE but down in GC .
Ayuso on the mend was likely part of the conversation about strategy. Del Toro showed he has gas in the tank, doing his own work for hard jumps by Carapaz ,Gee, ,Bernal were Del Toro ,alone shut each down. Clearly Del Toro is strong and not showing signs that he is listless or getting stale going into week 3.
Great management, public relations and team message, to put speculation to bed. Deserving Del Toro gets the nod.

 

[CyclistAbi]

One has to understand Ayuso situation, he was promised leadership and although still in contention, lost that leadership position before starting the decisive week.

 

[P4rthen0n]

"We will be consistent, he has earned it" - Matxín confirms Isaac Del Toro may be protected on final Giro week

In the middle of the rest day before the decisive week of the Giro d'Italia 2025, UAE has returned to attend the media in a press conference. CiclismoAlDía and CyclingUpToDate were present at the stat...

cyclinguptodate.com

Looks like Ayuso is now out of the leadership position, starting week three.

Too soon to tell.
Last time the cameras were on, we saw UAE chasing after Del Toro. And nobody from UAE closed down attacks, only Del Toro did.
I'll believe it when I see evidence of changes.

Nonetheless Ayuso is still in great position GC wise. He came into the Giro as one of the leaders and still deserves to be protected for as long as he has a real shot at winning the whole thing.

 

[Links2003]

I still don't believe that del Toro alone should be the leader. The team has acted differently in the last few days. Otherwise he would already be much further ahead. Maybe that's just a distraction. We'll see.

 

[noob]

Just heard Brunyel saying Ayuso knee stitches were undone again after the time trial.

Explains why his speed went down.

 

[Sciatic]

Just heard Brunyel saying Ayuso knee stitches were undone again after the time trial.

Explains why his speed went down.

Definitely less aero with ragged pieces of skin flopping about!

 

[noob]

Definitely less aero with ragged pieces of skin flopping about!

I'm thankful for the fact that my inner picture reference will be theater fake skin, not the real deal 🤣🤣🤣

 

[CyclistAbi]

Pogi won and Ayuso staying at UAE as dom for now.

 

[Netserk]

I was unsure Sunday, but after today it is clear that he never recovered (fully) from injuring his knee on the gravel.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Stagnation or no stagnation, he has had impressively bad luck in his GTs. Covid in the 2022 Vuelta, completely messed up season hindering him in the 2023 Vuelta, Covid again in last year's Tour and now a knee injury. That's four from four GTs where he has been prevented from performing at 100%. If he was more likeable (and preferably not on UAE) it would have made him a Landa-esque popular underdog.

 

[noob]

Benji and Broe saying Ayuso isn't like he's portrayed. I wait for an interview with him just like the one with Remco to fix his reputation.

 

[Rackham]

Benji and Broe saying Ayuso isn't like he's portrayed. I wait for an interview with him just like the one with Remco to fix his reputation.

If I speak....

Actually I will speak. Ayuso was given a 'bad guy' reputation when Pogi diehards decided anything less than total fealty to his lordship Pogi the magnificent was unacceptable.

I'm totally ambivalent on the question because let's face facts here i.e. who are we kidding? Pog hardly needed his help.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Yeah, this was his penance, his offence wasn't worse. And obviously he is riding injured so chapeau to at least trying. Inclusion of mini Strade Bianche unfortunately decimated the GC field this year, to oblivion. Half a year of preparation down the drain for many GC riders, before it even started.

 

[Didinho]

I felt he was ready this year to win his first GT, this Giro was a good opportunity. Still believe he will get one.

Was he planned for the Vuelta? Otherwise another year with bad luck in his GT.