Juan Ayuso discussion thread

[Gratemans]

That is true, he already secured his leader a hefty bonus in terms of seconds. On top of that Ayuso was the first one to pull when they went off the ramp.

You just sculpt reality to fit whatever narrative is in your mind, dont't you?

 

[red_flanders]

It would be great to see him work for the team.

Seems unlikely.

 

[Rob5091]

Pogi was supposed to be here and the team mindf*cked Visma with the two leaders guff
https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling...s-up-on-first-summit-finish-of-la-vuelta-2025

It’s been a bit like this all race – I’ve said it since day one, even before the start. My original plan wasn’t to go for the GC, but the team asked me to give it a go out of respect, so I tried," began Ayuso's explanation. "But I haven’t been feeling good, and I’ve just gone with the flow.”
As for his goals, it’s clear from his words that this race was never a real target for him. He was called up at the last minute, after Tadej Pogacar opted out. From the start of the season, his main aim for this part of the year has been the World Championships in Kigali – and, based on what we saw today, that remains the case: “My goal is to support the team and prepare for the Worlds as best I can.”

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I am not so sure anymore that Juan is the best rider of UAE team.

 

[Hugh Januss]

He already told he will try to win stages.

So UAE with a pretty top contender has 3 other climbers, 2 flatlanders, and 2 kind of middle mountain hill guys and 2 of the 3 other climbers are gonna go for stages? Oh, and the 4th climber is Soler so who knows what he'll do. So it's Almeida vs. Visma?

 

[ppanther92]

now when he is here for Almeida he again is the worst

Yeah, well, that remains to be seen - 6 stages, no work so far (although ofc not really needed). But I would be rather surprised to see him as a loyal domestique now for the rest of the race.

 

[Lequack]

And it's all Pog's fault for not wanting to ride the Vuelta, so they had to bring in Ayuso.

 

[CyclistAbi]

You just sculpt reality to fit whatever narrative is in your mind, dont't you?

He didn't work his ass off in TTT and by doing that secured Almeida seconds? If you claim he didn't then it's you who need to check your reality a bit. If you agree he did then what the heck are you on about?

It would be great to see him work for the team.

Seems unlikely.

He already did just that in TTT so this is not even a question any more.

Yeah, well, that remains to be seen - 6 stages, no work so far (although ofc not really needed). But I would be rather surprised to see him as a loyal domestique now for the rest of the race.

He already did his part in TTT and i am sure that on important stages he will step up. Plus he is just one of the supporting team members, likely the last one to pull, so the rest must do their part to. If the rest of the team will do their job then rest assured Ayuso will too. If the rest of the team has the freedom to do whatever they want then i don't know what some of you would like Ayuso to do as then Almeida can't win this race anyway and it would be a waste of Ayuso if only him would suppose to support Almeida.

So ultimately this is not on Ayuso but on UAE, decision if they will support Almeida on this race or not.

 

[carolina]

I've been trying to find the interview where Ayuso said that stuff and it seems it was the pre-vuelta interview with Matxin and Almeida.

“It’s been a different preparation to what I’d have done normally, I haven’t raced much. We’ll just see day by day how I go. If I can’t go for the GC, then I’ll help João if he’s good.”

'It's is an advantage' - Almeida and Ayuso present united front before Vuelta

With Tadej Pogacar an absentee, the leadership of UAE Team Emirates-XRG is up for grabs at the Vuelta a España. The race presents an opportunity for both…

www.domestiquecycling.com

Either way, actions speak louder than words, so let's wait and see what he does.

 

[CyclistAbi]

@carolina

Again, what Ayuso said in his latest interview and what the media made you believe he said is a different thing. Don't just read the headlines, read the actually quote made by cyclist. And take even that with a grain of salt as likely it is taken out of context. That is just how media operates in this day and age.

 

[carolina]

@carolina

Again, what Ayuso said in his latest interview and what the media made you believe he said is a different thing. Don't just read the headlines, read the actually quote made by cyclist. And take even that with a grain of salt as likely it is taken out of context. That is just how media operates in this day and age.

Yes, I know, that's why I wanted to find the interview.

 

[CyclistAbi]

@carolina

Yeah, ignorance is a bliss. Fair enough.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Although I kinda feel sorry dor Ayuso, this sounds like a poor excuse.
Matxin said they will need both leaders (A&A) to perform good if they want to fight Vingegaard, and Ayuso himself never said (before today) he isn't going for GC.

Exactly this. Why they (UAE/Matxin) were saying both Ayuso and Almeida were co leaders and now he never was trying to go for the GC. This doesn't make sense.

 

[Lequack]

Matxin, on @Eurosport_ES about Ayuso's role change:
"When it's time to help, he will help"
"When it's time to have his sports space, he will have it"

https://twitter.com/x/status/1961371110882087218

View: https://x.com/Eurosport_ES/status/1961371110882087218

 

[Red Rick]

Matxin, on @Eurosport_ES about Ayuso's role change:
"When it's time to help, he will help"
"When it's time to have his sports space, he will have it"

https://twitter.com/x/status/1961371110882087218

View: https://x.com/Eurosport_ES/status/1961371110882087218

If Janos Slynt says so, it must be true.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Exactly this. Why they (UAE/Matxin) were saying both Ayuso and Almeida were co leaders and now he never was trying to go for the GC. This doesn't make sense.

This doesn't go against anything said in the interview. That is Ayuso explained he said to the team he isn't going for GC from the get go (internal communication), the team still encouraged him to give it a shot.

The problem we are having now is fandom jumped on what is commonly refereed to as clickbait headline and doesn't want to let go. It's just that the sports media and fandom refuses not to believe it. Ultimately it's the athlete on who is at fault. Sports media and fandom says so hence it is the truth.

Ayuso exposed this and now panic all around as there is no rug big enough to hide under, both the media and the fandom. Next step is obvious, media and fandom will start to point fingers at each other. As surely they are the credible ones.

Ayuso having a laugh.

The healing power of laughter

Laughter helps our mental health, reduces inflammation, is good for the heart and immune system, and even improves sleep quality.

drdavidhamilton.com

 

[red_flanders]

He already did just that in TTT so this is not even a question any more.

He's really going all out for the team and not himself today!

 

[CyclistAbi]

He's really going all out for the team and not himself today!

What in your opinion should he be doing instead today? IMHO he is doing exactly what should be done. If GC battle would start to unfold he is in perfect position to support Almeida, if not then UAE winning another stage with him or Vine, what more could you ask for?

Explain it to me.

 

[saunaking]

the new crappier version of Remco

 

[SHAD0W93]

Wow, his shape sure looks piss poor.

 

[Lequack]

He was burying GY Ayuso, so he could be stage hunter Ayuso.

 

[pastronef]

go Juan! do it for the petty haters!

 

[Cycling111]

Ayuso's statements yesterday were pathetic.

It's obvious he could have stayed in the group a little longer and helped Almeida, instead of losing less in GC to had better challenge against Vingegaard doing 2 vs 1.

The attitude was pathetic, and his statements were even more so.

I wouldn't be surprised if he pulls out of the Vuelta using some excuse to prepare for the World Championships, leaving the team without any help.

 

[Ripper]

Juan giving it to the hatrzzzzz

And UAE, least dodgy team on the World Tour, looking at yet another stage win

 

[Cycling111]

From someone who says he wants to be number one and is constantly asking to be the leader in GT, you would expect him to stand up to Vingegaard, not Sean Quin and Marco Frigo in a consented breakaway.