- Sep 12, 2022
- 8,213
- 9,724
- 17,180
- Sep 2, 2011
- 17,541
- 13,766
- 28,180
We would need to check his numbers in every climbing effort but I don't think he was significantly better than last year.
Maybe marginally better. Mas can't be used as a measuring stick since his prep was altered after his TdF injury.
I'm hoping he can have a pain free winter and a full season in 2024 so we can assess his further development as a GT rider.
- Feb 20, 2012
- 53,940
- 44,325
- 28,180
Climbing numbers are pointless when the entire field changes along
Q from journalist: Is it true that you don't get along with Almeida? Answer: Well, what can I say? We respect each other and then what happens in the race, people can see what happens.
UAE needs to find a way to fix it or just don't make them race together. Also said that he would like to be a secondary leader on the tour next year, but that's up to the team. Doesn't know what GT, he'll do next year, but he will only do 1.
Also, I read on twitter that he answered some journalist saying that he'll do the italian classics.
https://www.relevo.com/ciclismo/la-vuelta/juan-ayuso-nivel-sentarme-mesa-20230918005803-nt.html
UAE needs to find a way to fix it or just don't make them race together. Also said that he would like to be a secondary leader on the tour next year, but that's up to the team. Doesn't know what GT, he'll do next year, but he will only do 1.
Also, I read on twitter that he answered some journalist saying that he'll do the italian classics.
https://www.relevo.com/ciclismo/la-vuelta/juan-ayuso-nivel-sentarme-mesa-20230918005803-nt.html
- Sep 29, 2013
- 2,066
- 1,833
- 14,680
I'd say Ayuso is doing the Giro next year. With La Vuelta starting in Portugal, Almeida will likely want to do it. He's also overdue to go to the Tour and Pogacar needs all the help he can get.
- Mar 26, 2023
- 364
- 804
- 4,480
So, Ayuso and Almeida "respect each other", Ayuso's and Almeida's contracts allow them to not ride for/with Pogačar, Ayuso is targeting only one GT next year and would like it to be the Tour - okay, it's like UAE doesn't even want to win a GT ever again.
- Jun 7, 2010
- 19,196
- 3,092
- 28,180
I am guessing that Ayuso and Almeida may also not be obliged to ride for each other judging by what happened on the Angliru (unless Ayuso was ok with Almeida leaving him behind).
- Mar 11, 2009
- 4,235
- 3,529
- 21,180
He’s 20 years old and his 2 Top 10s in a GT. I’m not concerned yet.
- Jun 30, 2022
- 7,443
- 10,833
- 17,180
- Sep 12, 2022
- 8,213
- 9,724
- 17,180
Yeah that's true, still a lot of room to grow. Maybe when he's 25 and he still rides these results. It was just that I expect bigger jumps when they are younger. For example, Uijtdebroeks made a bigger jump from 19 => 20, imo.
- Jul 27, 2009
- 6,610
- 2,506
- 23,180
Ayuso lost several months of progession due to injury though.
Frankly I read his statement about Almeida like "I have to work on myself to become a better rider. Then I'm the undisputed leader and he works for me"
- Mar 26, 2023
- 364
- 804
- 4,480
"An aged man is but a paltry thing,
A tattered coat upon a stick, unless
Soul clap its hands and sing, and louder sing
For every tatter in its mortal dress," - W.B. Yeats
If somebody drops you is that respect? In that weird way, if somebody insults you, does it means respecting you? These guys are so media coached that they cant even call a spade a spade.
- Aug 9, 2021
- 5,989
- 6,490
- 17,180
I read it maybe like this; they respect each other as people outside races. (They've been training together for example). But inside the race is another beef and we can all see it.
- Aug 9, 2021
- 5,989
- 6,490
- 17,180
Makes sense. Almeida can do 2 GT in a year while having Ayuso do so is nearly child abuse.
Almeida/Ayuso is clearly not a productive co-leader pairing. But that may be down to Almeida's style of riding, especially on climbs. He's most comfortable riding his own pace rather than working for or following others.
Agree that Ayuso should go to the Tour as a helper for Pogacar. Having him, Majka/Vine and A. Yates would give Pog nearly as strong a team as Vingegaard/Roglic/Kuss. Or, at least strong enough not to be a liability.
Don't know about the Giro. Wouldn't Almeida do Giro-Vuelta logically? Unless you don't mind having Ayuso and Almeida essentially riding their own races again. Not that it worked out all that badly, but they didn't challenge Jumbo in the slightest.
I'd personally like to see Vine as a Giro co-leader. If he stays upright =and that's a big if -- I think he's got a GT podium in him. Just a feeling, not really based on results.
Agree that Ayuso should go to the Tour as a helper for Pogacar. Having him, Majka/Vine and A. Yates would give Pog nearly as strong a team as Vingegaard/Roglic/Kuss. Or, at least strong enough not to be a liability.
Don't know about the Giro. Wouldn't Almeida do Giro-Vuelta logically? Unless you don't mind having Ayuso and Almeida essentially riding their own races again. Not that it worked out all that badly, but they didn't challenge Jumbo in the slightest.
I'd personally like to see Vine as a Giro co-leader. If he stays upright =and that's a big if -- I think he's got a GT podium in him. Just a feeling, not really based on results.
I agree that could be a potent lineup, but it would need delicate ego management. Still, from a fan's perspective, watching JV battle UAE would be a delight. And if Roglic escapes to Lidl-Trek, next year's Tour could be one for the ages. Vingegaard's strength merits an all-resources response.
Pogi's team was pretty strong this year as well. Remember after stage 1 everyone said: wow, Vingegaard is going to have a hard time beating both Pogacar and Yates! It's one thing having a strong team, you also have to use them. In the end it was mostly just Yates doing leadouts for Pogi.
- Feb 20, 2012
- 53,940
- 44,325
- 28,180
Did Ayuso do anything in the Vuelta that makes you think "damn if only Almeida had pulled for him it would have been different?"
Me neither.
Me neither.
- Aug 3, 2015
- 22,743
- 10,688
- 28,180
Ayuso did close to jack. Almeida was riding his own race as per usual, and that's a fair game considering with the situation being what it was. People who complain about Almeida have no clue tbh.
Injury-free winter should give us some clue as to whether being trained like a pro since he was a kid truly has made him get close to his physical peak this early or if he'll be a monster in the 2024 Giro. Either way, I hope he and Rodriguez will give Spain some good gc results over the next 10 years 
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