Juan Ayuso discussion thread

[Mako]

Let's see what the ITT brings. Pretty disappointed in Juan Ayuso's finish today

 

[Berniece]

I actually can't imagine were these comments come from, especially after English and Spanish press conferences post race by Isaac Del Toro were he said plainly that he will support Juan Ayuso's pursuit of the win or GC result if that is what the team decides. Del Toro in both languages said he respects Ayuso and considers him the leader. Ayuso got his first grand tour win days ago, Del Toro, second. Ayuso and others crashed, UAE made critical decisions to contest stage with surviving riders, with injury status of Ayuso uncertain, but regardless of ability, Ayuso, lost time and critical positioning, UAE made decisions that were prudent on multiple levels with Del Toro getting a fantastic ride, good result, and Ayuso and others able to remount and finish, still in excellent position for team objectives. UAE giving textbook example of making the best of a bad situation. And as all can see from Cycling News and other bike racing media, there is great interest in UAE and their riders, today's race and results from Del Toro, Ayuso and others only amplify the interest in UAE racing

In an interview with Eurosport Del Toro was asked: "You are one of the strongest riders in the Giro, maybe even the strongest. And you're in pink." The answer of Del Toro was: "Yeah, it's free to dream." and afterwards he was asked: "Maybe you'll even win the Giro". To which he answered: "Yeah, maybe I will, we'll see".

Sorry, but that doesn't sound as if Del Toro is riding for Ayuso. Which is fine, btw, UAE should be able to bet on multiple horses. I've got a much bigger "problem" with the other two.

McNulty and A. Yates basically finished together with Ayuso. There is a case to be made for Yates due to previous results in GT's, but McNulty should've finished minutes back, because he should've emptied himself completely for Ayuso, and to make sure the gap with Roglic would be bigger.

This is just typical UAE. When Pogacar is riding, everyone knows who to work for. And then in other races, everyone thinks this is finally their chance to shine, and everyone rides for themselves. Staff doesn't care as long as one of them wins, but this was a missed opportunity to put more time into Roglic and have a bigger shot to win the Giro.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

In McNulty's defense, he looked very banged up. He had blood all over his arm and a rather terrible-looking wound. He seemed to be in survival mode, just riding along in case of emergency but hardly able to help.

 

[jmdirt]

In an interview with Eurosport Del Toro was asked: "You are one of the strongest riders in the Giro, maybe even the strongest. And you're in pink." The answer of Del Toro was: "Yeah, it's free to dream." and afterwards he was asked: "Maybe you'll even win the Giro". To which he answered: "Yeah, maybe I will, we'll see".

Sorry, but that doesn't sound as if Del Toro is riding for Ayuso. Which is fine, btw, UAE should be able to bet on multiple horses. I've got a much bigger "problem" with the other two.

McNulty and A. Yates basically finished together with Ayuso. There is a case to be made for Yates due to previous results in GT's, but McNulty should've finished minutes back, because he should've emptied himself completely for Ayuso, and to make sure the gap with Roglic would be bigger.

This is just typical UAE. When Pogacar is riding, everyone knows who to work for. And then in other races, everyone thinks this is finally their chance to shine, and everyone rides for themselves. Staff doesn't care as long as one of them wins, but this was a missed opportunity to put more time into Roglic and have a bigger shot to win the Giro.

Instead of just picking quotes, let's watch/listen to the interviews (1:30, 2:02, 4:50, and the end if you don't have time for the entire recap):

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkZIKjls8nI

 

[Cycling111]

He needs to leave UAE asap, but his contract is until the end of 2028... They clearly don't care about him, he isn't their leader, they just do whatever they want as long as it isn't Pogacar. Can'it imagine him wanting to ride there for another 3.5 years.

He needs to change team. But Ayuso can't be sold as a victim of his team, when he himself has behaved this way against another leader far superior to him.

Ayuso's problem is that he can't complain because he not even respected Pogacar's hierarchy.
Ayuso hasn't won a single GT to date. We know he's had a podium finish and can challenge for it, but it's no guarantee.

It makes more sense to play two options with Ayuso and Del Toro than with Pogacar and Ayuso, as Ayuso pretended.
Having Del Toro there is what can give Ayuso the Giro. In a head-to-head, he hasn't proven be superior to Roglic.


He'd also have to accept that he wouldn't have this level of teammates on other teams.
Pogacar won 2020 TDF alone, while Ayuso hasn't proven himself capable of doing that.
Despite today's difference, he'll surely need the UAE's superiority to beat Roglic.
Could Ayuso beat Roglic at the Giro with Movistar? These are questions he'll be asking himself when thinking about changing team..

 

[Jan the Man]

He needs to leave UAE asap, but his contract is until the end of 2028... They clearly don't care about him, he isn't their leader, they just do whatever they want as long as it isn't Pogacar. Can'it imagine him wanting to ride there for another 3.5

He needs to leave UAE asap, but his contract is until the end of 2028... They clearly don't care about him, he isn't their leader, they just do whatever they want as long as it isn't Pogacar. Can'it imagine him wanting to ride there for another 3.5 years.

Not sure why he’d want to leave UAE in short term. Clearly the best team for him if he wants to win a GT

In an interview with Eurosport Del Toro was asked: "You are one of the strongest riders in the Giro, maybe even the strongest. And you're in pink." The answer of Del Toro was: "Yeah, it's free to dream." and afterwards he was asked: "Maybe you'll even win the Giro". To which he answered: "Yeah, maybe I will, we'll see".

Sorry, but that doesn't sound as if Del Toro is riding for Ayuso. Which is fine, btw, UAE should be able to bet on multiple horses. I've got a much bigger "problem" with the other two.

McNulty and A. Yates basically finished together with Ayuso. There is a case to be made for Yates due to previous results in GT's, but McNulty should've finished minutes back, because he should've emptied himself completely for Ayuso, and to make sure the gap with Roglic would be bigger.

This is just typical UAE. When Pogacar is riding, everyone knows who to work for. And then in other races, everyone thinks this is finally their chance to shine, and everyone rides for themselves. Staff doesn't care as long as one of them wins, but this was a missed opportunity to put more time into Roglic and have a bigger shot to win the Giro.

Almeida and Yates rode well together in Suisse last year.

I also think they rode as well as they could in the circumstances of the race today.

It is also sensible strategy not to go all in on Ayuso from a team perspective - he has not proven he can win a GT., keeping multiple cards makes sense, though i accept there will come a time after the first tappone where 2 of the 4 up there will have to sacrifice.

Ayuso deserves leadership but ultimately the road will dictate who is strongest from the team as the legs won’t lie in the tappone

 

[Cycling111]

In McNulty's defense, he looked very banged up. He had blood all over his arm and a rather terrible-looking wound. He seemed to be in survival mode, just riding along in case of emergency but hardly able to help.

He worked in these conditions. Also, McNulty only made up a gap of over 30 seconds to reach Ayusos´s group afther the accidente.

Before McNulty's work, Roglic's group had managed to get within 30-40 seconds. He didn't close the gap on Del Toro, but he did help prevent Roglic's group from catching up.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1924117165633921343

View: https://x.com/NBCSCycling/status/1924117165633921343

 

[pastronef]

Ayuso will need stitches on his right knee after the crash (same crash of Roglic, Hamilton, Pidcock, McNulty)

 

[Red Rick]

I forgot but was there any drama about Ayuso not working on any other stage than Galibier last year?

 

[Netserk]

I forgot but was there any drama about Ayuso not working on any other stage than Galibier last year?

All stages, basically.

 

[Unchained]

Instead of just picking quotes, let's watch/listen to the interviews (1:30, 2:02, 4:50, and the end if you don't have time for the entire recap):

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkZIKjls8nI

Thanks for posting this, his English is good and there is zero confusion about if he comes off cocky,overconfident and is talking smack about not supporting designated leaders.
Del Toro has zero military training, that said I will guarantee you that he will follow orders given to him by team leadership and he is not some lofty free spirit full of grand illusion that he is the leader.
And it's not his responsibility if some translation program listened to this and pooped out" yeah I am really strong, super confident and will win Giro" . use another program!!

 

[Unchained]

He needs to change team. But Ayuso can't be sold as a victim of his team, when he himself has behaved this way against another leader far superior to him.

Ayuso's problem is that he can't complain because he not even respected Pogacar's hierarchy.
Ayuso hasn't won a single GT to date. We know he's had a podium finish and can challenge for it, but it's no guarantee.

It makes more sense to play two options with Ayuso and Del Toro than with Pogacar and Ayuso, as Ayuso pretended.
Having Del Toro there is what can give Ayuso the Giro. In a head-to-head, he hasn't proven be superior to Roglic.


He'd also have to accept that he wouldn't have this level of teammates on other teams.
Pogacar won 2020 TDF alone, while Ayuso hasn't proven himself capable of doing that.
Despite today's difference, he'll surely need the UAE's superiority to beat Roglic.
Could Ayuso beat Roglic at the Giro with Movistar? These are questions he'll be asking himself when thinking about changing team..

Both Ayuso and Del Toro very happy to sign multi year extensions with UAE, because someone crashed on some bizarre novelty gravel insert, no support stage, seems really whacky to conclude that anyone is unhappy with team, unhappy with world, TDF champion in same stable.
Just an absolutely insane conclusion because UAE, race favorite crashed and or punctured that there is some deep seeded turmoil going on with anyone at UAE, feels more like projecting than poignant points of fact.
Without asking him, everyone in the world should, can conclude that Isaac Del Toro doesn't want a transfer anywhere, he is very very happy where he is and who he is with..
Anyone changing from current UAE to Movistar should be on concussion protocol.
Ayuso signed until 2028, Del Toro until 2029 ,closest thing Isaac will get to Movistar is if he uses their cellular phone service... Lol!!!

 

[Berniece]

Just an absolutely insane conclusion because UAE, race favorite crashed and or punctured that there is some deep seeded turmoil going on with anyone at UAE, feels more like projecting than poignant points of fact.

Sure, it's very normal that McNulty basically finished together with Ayuso in such a stage. Nothing going on at all... Let's also forget TDF last year. Ayuso is clearly very liked in the team, and a leader people want to ride for.

 

[AlfaLum]

I think UAE has done everything it could to give Ayuso the real captaincy in this race.

He has been leader in every race this season so far, often with the help of del Toro, himself who also reached very good levels in Tirreno, Basque and Ardèche.

He was also the first one to attack in stage 7 of the Giro, while del Toro was also looking great but seems to have gotten instructions only to follow.

Now however stage 9, a race which you cant tactically plan to its full degree has decided that Ayuso will have a co-leader in del Toro. Of course we get all the good answers from Isaac now, but UAE will not make him work for others being in pink while he is in this form.

Its unlucky for Ayuso that the race has decided that he gets another team-mate as a co-leader. But i dont think UAE should have done anything differently. Asking del Toro to drop back would have been crazy.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Beppe Martinelli going full 2015 Giro and saying they should have stopped Del Toro to pace for Ayuso to increase the gap to Roglic.😂
Meanwhile Gibo says they made the right call because Ayuso isn't a proven gt winner and you don't sacrifice your 2nd option + there was also Bernal up front.

 

[Salvarani]

I think UAE has done everything it could to give Ayuso the real captaincy in this race.

He has been leader in every race this season so far, often with the help of del Toro, himself who also reached very good levels in Tirreno, Basque and Ardèche.

He was also the first one to attack in stage 7 of the Giro, while del Toro was also looking great but seems to have gotten instructions only to follow.

Now however stage 9, a race which you cant tactically plan to its full degree has decided that Ayuso will have a co-leader in del Toro. Of course we get all the good answers from Isaac now, but UAE will not make him work for others being in pink while he is in this form.

Its unlucky for Ayuso that the race has decided that he gets another team-mate as a co-leader. But i dont think UAE should have done anything differently. Asking del Toro to drop back would have been crazy.

Well put.

 

[Rackham]

Beppe Martinelli going full 2015 Giro and saying they should have stopped Del Toro to pace for Ayuso to increase the gap to Roglic.😂
Meanwhile Gibo says they made the right call because Ayuso isn't a proven gt winner and you don't sacrifice your 2nd option + there was also Bernal up front.

I'm so hyped for the UAE infighting. I always felt like the whole Ayuso Sith villain arc was way, way over-exaggerated (especially during last year's TdF) aka with fans and media really reaching for examples of "issues" between Pog's teammates but I'm so here for some real "Del Toro versus Ayuso" drama.

We need that moment when the pink jersey drops and starts shouting on the radio whilst Ayuso pretends he hasn't seen him drop. It's what cycling fans live for.

 

[noob]

In house UAE rivalry started with Almeida 🤣 Sometimes I think people forget that.

There's also Broe who likes when people act selfishly so he has constantly pointed out how Ayuso absolutely refuses to ride for anyone but himself and how much he likes that 🤣

This goes back way before 2022 Catalunya.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I'm so hyped for the UAE infighting. I always felt like the whole Ayuso Sith villain arc was way, way over-exaggerated (especially during last year's TdF) aka with fans and media really reaching for examples of "issues" between Pog's teammates but I'm so here for some real "Del Toro versus Ayuso" drama.

We need that moment when the pink jersey drops and starts shouting on the radio whilst Ayuso pretends he hasn't seen him drop. It's what cycling fans live for.

Yup, I think it's likely actually. Ayuso is the last person who would settle for playing second fiddle in this situation and he'll surely attack Del Toro. In case of Roglic's attack they will be arguing for an hour who should help who with the Slovenian winning the race in the meantime

 

[Peyroteo94]

I'm loving this. He deserves everything of what is happening. I hope Del Toro find magical legs and wins this Giro.

 

[veganrob]

Isn't that a joint probability as the latter would be quite heavily influenced by the former?

i.e. Roglic crashing out significantly increases the chance of Ayuso winning?

Or are you saying the overall chances of Roglic crashing out are higher than the overall chances Ayuso wins because even with a crash you view it as not very likely.

I don't think so.

 

[Cycling111]

In house UAE rivalry started with Almeida 🤣 Sometimes I think people forget that.

There's also Broe who likes when people act selfishly so he has constantly pointed out how Ayuso absolutely refuses to ride for anyone but himself and how much he likes that 🤣

This goes back way before 2022 Catalunya.

The day Almeida was losing the Volta Catalunya, Ayuso attacked on a descent instead of helping him

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yates is the ultimate troll. See photo number 3 and the face of Yates tell us everything, I doubt he would be this happy about Ayuso.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJzz79JA62U/?img_index=2&igsh=MWd6NTdpZWFrZ2o2NA==

 

[noob]

The day Almeida was losing the Volta Catalunya, Ayuso attacked on a descent instead of helping him

Rather Almeida attacked Ayuso to get his own stage win and Ayuso returned the favour when Almeida got the lead 🤣🤣🤣 Soler did a horrible job trying to Almeida too.

Almeida also had Yates helping him chase Soler last stage in Catalunya 2023 🤣🤣🤣

So I'd say Yates and Almeida are the sneaky ones and they work quite well together themselves against their teammates sans Pog.

There's another stage with Soler on top of a mountain after Remco and Roglic so should be Catalunya 2023. I should find that image as it is hilarious too. 😂

The ultimate in-house rivalry guys imo is Almeida and Yates but Yates seems more willing to be a domestique 🤣 Also I assume the anger with Soler is passed but who knows.

DS also has their favorites just as a teacher has in class. To deny such things is naive imo.

 

[noob]

And in tdf Ayuso said Almeida gestured at him on purpose to make him look bad. So to deny that in house rivalry would be naive.

I think it was also Piper who said he saw no friendship in the peleton, but rather camaraderie.