Juan Ayuso discussion thread

[Oldman]

Vine and Großschartner were and pulled at the beginning of the last climb, while Ayuso long couldnt be assed anymore.

All while he obviously is stronger than those two.

Not sure I saw either take a meaningful pull. Once things accelerated on 2nd to last climb it was the front group, then the catchers before Pidcock launched. The rider that most impressed was Jorgenson who managed to get back on terms after setting the serious tempo. Good day for JV, RB and Pidcock. Almeida worked hard to stay in that 2nd group and not being able to contest the last 3km could've cost some time?

 

[Berniece]

According to Italian ex-pro, Strada Bianchi winner, nephew of the legendary Francesco and Eurosport commentator on live Vuelta coverage today, Moreno Moser, it's been heard through the grapevine that Pogacar told the team he wants Ayuso out immeadiately.

Doesn't surprise me one bit. People might think Ayuso meant Gianetti as a dictator, but he meant Pogacar. He's really like Armstong.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Doesn't surprise me one bit. People might think Ayuso meant Gianetti as a dictator, but he meant Pogacar. He's really like Armstong.

So Pog, the by far best rider in the world, doesn't want Ayuso, a rider known to don't give a *** about anyone other than himself, out of the team. If you ask me, thats pretty normal and nothing like Armstrong at all.

Also, its still just rumours. But you can't blame him, and comparing that so Armstrong is just so far out man.

Edit: Thats like comparing Remco to Eddy, and even that is probably closer to the truth.

 

[Red Rick]

So Pog, the by far best rider in the world, doesn't want Ayuso, a rider known to don't give a *** about anyone other than himself, out of the team. If you ask me, thats pretty normal and nothing like Armstrong at all.

Also, its still just rumours. But you can't blame him, and comparing that so Armstrong is just so far out man.

Edit: Thats like comparing Remco to Eddy, and even that is probably closer to the truth.

Big difference between not wanting to race with someone as your domestique and wanting someone kicked out the team.

To me the comparison to Armstrong isn't far fetched at all.

 

[CyclistAbi]

We should be careful here and show we learned a lesson. That is now when Ayuso is resigning from his position as being a scapegoat for UAE, self sustained narrative that suited UAE, sports media and fandom, now there is a big void involved and IMHO pinning everything on Pogi, that would be crazy.

Even if Pogi had something to do with it each and everybody of the involved bunch needs first to eat their piece of the pie before even thinking about doing something else.

 

[Netserk]

To me the comparison to Armstrong isn't far fetched at all

It is known.

 

[pastronef]

It is known.

will Pog follow Ayuso to the races he has in his schedule in 2026? Pog changes from Tirreno to Paris-Nice last minute. Pog adds Itzulia and Catalunya in his schedule, Pog ditches UAE Tour and goes to Ruta del Sol, etc etc

 

[Cookster15]

I assume this article covers the situation.

"Pogacar wants Ayuso out immediately" - Dutch pundit argues World Champion had a say in Ayuso's UAE departure

Juan Ayuso's departure from UAE Team Emirates - XRG is currently the hot topic in the Vuelta a Espana, but the decision to part ways was already made long before the race began. Thijs Zonneveld brings...

cyclinguptodate.com

At end of the day its the performance on the road that counts. At this Vuelta Ayuso didn't help his cause by his collapse in stage 9. That was nothing to do with Pogacar as far as I can see.

 

[CyclistAbi]

I assume this article covers the situation.

Poor sports media, only now, when the bubble bursted, the very next day, after years, they got it all figured out, the truth. Today it's Pogi then, such garbage sports media has become, well, at least they have to live in it, only fair.

 

[Peyroteo94]

The anti Pogacar agenda started again even when he isn't racing. Incredible.

 

[Red Rick]

I assume this article covers the situation.

"Pogacar wants Ayuso out immediately" - Dutch pundit argues World Champion had a say in Ayuso's UAE departure

Juan Ayuso's departure from UAE Team Emirates - XRG is currently the hot topic in the Vuelta a Espana, but the decision to part ways was already made long before the race began. Thijs Zonneveld brings...

cyclinguptodate.com

At end of the day its the performance on the road that counts. At this Vuelta Ayuso didn't help his cause by his collapse in stage 9. That was nothing to do with Pogacar as far as I can see.

A lot of this is just journalists acting asif they're in the know about something when they're really just speculating just like everyone else.

 

[Berniece]

So Pog, the by far best rider in the world, doesn't want Ayuso, a rider known to don't give a *** about anyone other than himself, out of the team. If you ask me, thats pretty normal and nothing like Armstrong at all.

Also, its still just rumours. But you can't blame him, and comparing that so Armstrong is just so far out man.

Edit: Thats like comparing Remco to Eddy, and even that is probably closer to the truth.

Let’s forget what he did during the Giro which in my book is plain bullying

 

[Cookster15]

A lot of this is just journalists acting asif they're in the know about something when they're really just speculating just like everyone else.

Okay, but unless someone can link to a well researched and factual article I struggle to see any equivalence between Pogacar and Armstrong? I see Ayuso as having a rather entitled attitude at UAE considering his lack of results on the road.

Almeida's record at UAE is similar and he actually has given strong support to Pog. Likewise Adam Yates.

Pogacar's performances on the road certainly cannot be questioned compared to Juan Ayuso. Ayuso proved why on stage 9 of this Vuelta. He was given his chance to lead UAE and failed. Then announces he is leaving. That's all on him. Nothing to do with Pogacar or anything like Armstrong.

 

[Red Rick]

Okay, but unless someone can link to a well researched and factual article I struggle to see any equivalence between Pogacar and Armstrong? I see Ayuso as having a rather entitled attitude at UAE considering his lack of results on the road.

Almeida's record at UAE is similar and he actually has given strong support to Pog. Likewise Adam Yates.

Pogacar's performances on the road certainly cannot be questioned compared to Juan Ayuso. Ayuso proved why on stage 9 of this Vuelta. He was given his chance to lead UAE and failed. Then announces he is leaving. That's all on him. Nothing to do with Pogacar or anything like Armstrong.

Mostly there's plenty of cases of teammates having some kind of beef with the other, but normally that's resolved by them not racing together. I have really rarely heard of one rider forcing the team to break the contract with another rider. And this story of teams within a team really reminds me most of the Armstrong-Contador feud.

The speculation about the inner team dynamics to me is almost purely speculation, but the idea that within the team riders would just follow Pogacar because he's the champion is completely logical. That's just human behavior 101, there's nothing conspiratorial about that

The real speculation is Ayuso had a GT or other race leadership hard written in his contract, and all I've read about that has just been speculation. I've never seen confirmation of any of that. It would explain a lot though.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Okay, but unless someone can link to a well researched and factual article I struggle to see any equivalence between Pogacar and Armstrong?

Unfortunately and for wide part of it well researched and factual articles are not a thing any more.

I see Ayuso as having a rather entitled attitude at UAE considering his lack of results on the road.

His palmares so far are IMHO not that bad.

He was given his chance to lead UAE and failed. Then announces he is leaving. That's all on him.

Well, nobody denied Ayuso didn't came here racing for GC and all confirmed an agreement was made that joint statement will be made after Vuelta.

As for focusing so much on Pogi now, that again is pushing for a rather false narrative. Something sports media would like to push for and fandom would like to believe. UAE likely staying quiet as it suits them again, having a convenient scapegoat. Trying to pair Pogi and Armstrong, that is mostly fandom. For now i don't see it, them sharing the same personality traits and behaviours. Armstrong, for example, would be much more direct if he wanted Ayuso out. Pogi might have been crying about it behind scenes, but the idea he is now the architect of it all, that is what you get if you trust sports media too much. The same sports media that fed you the BS about Ayuso and you took it in like you where a sponge. Ayuso, surely worst then Armstrong. Crazy.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Mostly there's plenty of cases of teammates having some kind of beef with the other, but normally that's resolved by them not racing together. I have really rarely heard of one rider forcing the team to break the contract with another rider. And this story of teams within a team really reminds me most of the Armstrong-Contador feud.

1986 TDF LeMond V. Hinault was the best (or worst) example ever of teams within a team. La Vie Claire came down to basically LeMond, Bauer, and Hampsten V. Hinault and the other French riders on the team.

 

[Cookster15]

His palmares so far are IMHO not that bad.

Sure not that bad in isolation. But is he more worthy of support than Almeida or A.Yates? Not seeing it. Also he was given his chance to lead UAE this Vuelta but cracked on stage 9. Thing is, if I recall, Ayuso was re signed by UAE at a huge fee I doubt other teams would be willing to match? So now he publicly lashes out after he failed? Poor IMO.

 

[pelotonIQ]

A couple of us guys have been saying this about Ayuso long time ago only to be met with exuces finally people are now realizing, better late than never. UAE are good with Almeida and Toro as secondary GC riders.

 

[Berniece]

Okay, but unless someone can link to a well researched and factual article I struggle to see any equivalence between Pogacar and Armstrong?

Pogacar decides his own schedule and doesn't listen to the GM. He decides which riders ride where, and as show during the Giro influences who should be the leader during a GT. Having so much power within the team, and behaving like he does shows he's similar to Armstrong.

 

[Cookster15]

Pogacar decides his own schedule and doesn't listen to the GM. He decides which riders ride where, and as show during the Giro influences who should be the leader during a GT. Having so much power within the team, and behaving like he does shows he's similar to Armstrong.

What 'GM' - GM of UAE? Please be clear? I asked for a link. Can you provide evidence that supports this view about his "behavior" else it is your conjecture? Please don't assume we should all know.

 

[Berniece]

What 'GM' - GM of UAE? Please be clear? I asked for a link. Can you provide evidence that supports this view about his "behavior" else it is your conjecture? Please don't assume we should all know.

That's fair, I'll break it down some more.

Pogacar deciding his own schedule: He rode Paris-Roubaix against the wishes of UAE, he didn't go to the Vuelta against the wishes of UAE. Because we've had multiple interviews with Gianetti who said he wasn't riding Roubaix, and was riding the Vuelta.

Pogacar influencing who is the leader during the Giro was clear as day with his instagram post saying: "Looking at the future, enjoy the pink jersey" with a picture of Del Toro. Swaying the public and thus the team to go for Del Toro instead of Ayuso.

 

[LongtimeLurker]

Pogacar decides his own schedule and doesn't listen to the GM. He decides which riders ride where, and as show during the Giro influences who should be the leader during a GT. Having so much power within the team, and behaving like he does shows he's similar to Armstrong.

there is a lot of truth in this post.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yeah, Pogacar is the new Armstrong for some. Always funny to see how Armstrong seemed to behave in the eyes of users who never saw him racing. Always funny.
Other thing, Pogacar decides his own schedule and rules the team This is different from other riders? Let's take a look to Remco.

1 - Quickstep changed his identity to please Remco. Tried to become a GT team, losing assets on classics and what they got? A Vuelta win and failure after failure in other years (in GTs).

2 - Wasn't Lefevre who said many times Remco should race RVV? Did anyone see how many times Remco raced RVV? Yes, zero. I can assure you, Pogacar raced UAE Tour a couple of times.

3 - How many times, Remco decided to quit a race because he is egocentric and decided to quit racing in the middle of a race?

The difference is the Golden Boy in major races for his team (WC and OC he raced for Belgium), won:
LBL 2x
Vuelta

Pogacar:
TdF 4x
Giro
GdL 4x
LBL 3x
RVV 2x

I know it's painful to see but Remco's run in GTs has been a total failure for what Quickstep invested on him during these 5 years. Thankfully, they are focusing on classics again (in 2026).

Oh the other hand, Pogacar is totally delivering in his team, they are very happy with him because he is a good ambassador, a good role model and guess what? He is the only one there who wins big races! So if Pogacar wants to race PR, he will race PR because like you could see this year, he is the only one who can win PR from UAE team.
Ayuso had his opportunity this year in the Giro, the team rode for him, not for Del Toro. Who don't remember when Del Toro went in a break with Ayuso behind, and UAE decided to pursuit the break with Del Toro? Facts are there to see, but some folks want to keep their narrative because "Pogacar is better than my boy and I don't want to. But I will speak bad things about him, eventually someone is on the same boat with me and I can vent my frustrations." Unfortunately, reality will strike again and like Remco said one time, "I only see your @ss 500 m ahead".


So, the anti Pogacar agenda can continue but don't forget actual facts and not those rumours invented by someone who wants a spotlight (don't know where this rumour came from).

 

[Berniece]

Yeah, Pogacar is the new Armstrong for some. Always funny to see how Armstrong seemed to behave in the eyes of users who never saw him racing. Always funny.
Other thing, Pogacar decides his own schedule and rules the team This is different from other riders? Let's take a look to Remco

1 - Quickstep changed his identity to please Remco. Tried to become a GT team, losing assets on classics and what they got? A Vuelta win and failure after failure in other years (in GTs).

2 - Wasn't Lefevre who said many times Remco should race RVV? Did anyone see how many times Remco raced RVV? Yes, zero.

3 - How many times, Remco decided to quit a race because he is egocentric and decided to quit racing in the middle of a race?

The difference is the Golden Boy in major races for his team (WC and OC he raced for Belgium), won:
LBL 2x
Vuelta

Pogacar:
TdF 4x
Giro
GdL 4x
LBL 3x
RVV 2x

I know it's painful to see but Remco's run in GTs has been a total failure for what Quickstep invested on him during these 5 years. Thankfully, they are focusing on classics again (in 2026).

Oh the other hand, Pogacar is totally delivering in his team, they are very happy with him because he is a good ambassador, a good role model and guess what? He is the only one there who wins big races! So if Pogacar wants to race PR, he will race PR because like you could see this year, he is the only one who can win PR from UAE team.
Ayuso had his opportunity this year in the Giro, the team rode for him, not for Del Toro. Who don't remember when Del Toro went in a break with Ayuso behind, and UAE decided to pursuit the break with Del Toro? Facts are there to see, but some folks want to keep their narrative because "Pogacar is better than my boy and I don't want to. But I will speak bad things about him, eventually someone is on the same boat with me and I can vent my frustrations." Unfortunately, reality will strike again and like Remco said one time, "I only see your @ss 500 m ahead".


So, the anti Pogacar agenda can continue but don't forget actual facts and not those rumours invented by someone who wants a spotlight (don't know where this rumour came from).

 

[Roku]

I told you months ago, when explaining how Steiner's Law spelled disaster for Visma at TDF, that ultimately the *** Around, Find Out Law would be applied to Ayuso. Let's break out how the natural course of events have led to Ayuso's falling out with UAE while explaining how this rule works.

Firstly let me explain the fundamentals. This is a natural law, somewhat comparable to Newton's 3rd law, that establishes how *** around at a certain level ultimately always generates a finding out response at a comparable level.

We start our tale introducing Ayuso as a young prospect arriving at one of the Top3 teams in the world, led by Tadej Pogacar, the best cyclist in the pack, and featuring some other relevant GC riders. Ayuso has had a promising career as a junior and quickly establishes as one of the best climbers in the team, reaching an exceptional 3rd place in his first GT.

However, he starts to have problems with the secondary GC captain, Almeida, refusing to cooperate with him in certain race situations. At this moment, Ayuso probably started to f*ck around at a level of 3-4. People noticed his attitude and there were some remarks, but he did not find out anything relevant.

We flash-forward to 2024. World biggest race, TdF. Ayuso starts in the race for the first time. He is a teammate of the #1 / #2 favourite to win GC and the best rider in the race. However, in the first mountain stage, he notably refuses to work for Pogacar and ends up leaving the race. Now his *** around has probably reached a level of 8, and he starts to find out. He is left out of every race in which Pogacar is included.

Now on 2025 he has a schedule with secondary goals, but yet great races, such as Il Giro d'Italia, the second biggest race of the season. He starts the race as leader, but his squad features a couple of protected GC riders. One of them gets the pink jersey early on and Ayuso, once again, starts with his antics. His *** around had reached out a max level of 10 at this point, and he slowly found out. First he was provided with a completely unappealing race scheduled and, once he had found a new team, his current employer issued a statement calling out his actions as payback for his demeanour.

And this is how you always will find out if you start *** around.