The change story around Spain’s bike star Juan Ayuso ensures more excitement at Vuelta a Espana than the race itself
It was not a harmonious picture in front of the UAE Emirates team bus. The team leader Joao Almeida and the Australian Jay Vine, currently a mountain king of the Vuelta, sat on the role of each other in a blank and struggle the lactate from the legs and perhaps also the frustration from the soul. Because this 11th stage had been demolished prematurely due to mass protests against the war in Gaza and against the Israeli racing team of Israel Premier Tech. There was no fight for the day’s victory, nothing that was relevant in terms of sport.
A place next to the two was orphaned. The role was still there, but the wheel was already broken down. It was unclear whether she was intended for Juan Ayuso, the co-captain of the racing team in the absence of superstar Tadej Pogacar. But the picture fit. Because Ayuso is in a divorce drama with the racing team, as cycling has not yet experienced in this form, at least not on the stage of a Grand Tour.
A racing team as a “dictatorship”
Ayuso has dissolved his contract until 2028. He is now free and he did not make a killer pit from his heart. He characterized the conditions in the racing team as a dictatorship. The trigger of the anger was that the racing team announced the separation at the end of the season during the Vuelta. “It wasn’t agreed. You want to damage my reputation“He said, but it was no longer a secret that he wanted to leave the racing team.
Tadej Pogacar: Ayusos competitor in their own team
In the winter training camp, he had already seen through that he felt restricted by Pogacar. He claimed to want to remove the Slovenes in the future. And he often played the role of a free radical in the team. Sometimes he was so free that it even worshiped Pogacar. At the Galibier stage of the Tour de France 2024, he stayed out of leadership-only to suddenly come to strength in the shadow of Pogacar and sprint on daily rank 3.
Tensions since July 2024
Even then it rumbled in the team. Helper colleague Almeida scolded the radio and gestured violently. Pogacar remained comparatively cool. But after the Tour de France 2024, the Slovenian and the Spaniard only met two races, the two autumn classics in Canada 2024. After that, no more similarities, especially not a Grand tour, although the strength of the talented Spaniard is located. Pogacar Ayuso apparently no longer trusted as a helper, did not want to have him with him when it comes to victories.
Because Pogacar also had the saying about his performance at the racing team UAE Emirates, Ayuso left only a racing calendar beyond the interests of Pogacar. The Giro should be a consolation. But there he quickly got into the shadow of another young star in the team. The Mexican Isaac del Toro fled him and after eleven days in the pink jersey was still overall.
He had suppressed Ayuso within the team. And also in Pogacar’s personal sympathy, the Mexican is higher than Ayuso, as can be seen from the emotional congratulations of the Slovenian to the address of the Mexican. “So proud” he had written under a photo of del Toros after his flying through the Giro. He got a second photo with the word “Aura”.
Racing calendar in the shadow of Pogacar
So it fits between these two great talents. Ayuso, however, now had to cope with the fact that after Pogacar’s cancellation, he was suddenly nominated for the Vuelta. That was not on the plan for him beforehand. He had also not specially prepared for the tour, but tried to build the shape for the World Cup in Rwanda at the end of September. Whether it was due to the lack of form or whether the frustration was more likely to only know Ayuso himself.
In any case, on the 6th stage he lost more than seven minutes to the top favorite Jonas Vingegaard and also his co-captain Almeida. It was out with the UAE double tip. The day after, the Spaniard rehabilitated himself with a stage win. But the tensions in the team were so great that team manager Mauro Gianetti pulled the ripcord and announced the separation prematurely. Ayuso’s manager Giovanni Lombardi, who had negotiated the exit, died around the UAE bus on Wednesday, apparently ready to step in when an escalation is going on again.
No early Vuelta exit
At the moment, however, all parties seem to be on Burgfrieden. “No, it is not an option for me, at the Vuelta prematurely. These are all just speculations that come through the Mdedia” he said. And sports director Matxin Fernandez told the Sportschau that Ayuso was by no means isolated in the team. He also takes breakfast with everyone else. “Ayuso is part of the team and will fight for the team’s goals”the Spaniard confirmed to the sports show.
For his compatriot Ayuso there are the last days of a work relationship, which he also “Vassal service” designated. In his case, Uae Emirates did not manage to reconcile the ambitions of a talent with the few opportunities that are possible in the shadow of a large driver as much as Pogacar. For Ayuso itself, however, it is also time to add new merits to the early laurels, which he acquired through his third place at Vuelta 2022 at the age of just 20. It is said that he will tackle this for the Lidl Trek racing team.