ANALYSIS: Juan Ayuso's dismal 2026 raises questions about his future at Lidl-Trek as unlikely future transfer now becomes real possibility
Cycling
Juan Ayuso faces an important moment in his career. The Spaniard left UAE Team Emirates to join Lidl-Trek with a clear goal: become one of the team’s leading riders and earn the freedom to target the Tour de France general classification. However, his first season with the German team has fallen well short of the expectations his transfer generated in the cycling world.
The Valencian started 2026 in good form, winning stages and the overall classification at the Volta ao Algarve. The team change seemed set to help him take another step forward, but crashes and abandonments disrupted much of his race programme. His performances in the biggest races also failed to meet expectations.
This situation raises a question about his future: could Juan Ayuso eventually join Movistar Team? There are currently no negotiations or indications of an imminent move. However, if his sporting situation at Lidl-Trek does not improve, the only Spanish team in the WorldTour could become an alternative worth considering.
Ayuso’s season began promisingly in the Algarve, where he claimed stage wins and the overall title. Then the problems began. The Spaniard had to abandon both Paris-Nice and Itzulia, with crashes affecting his participation in both races.
The first sign of his competitive struggles came at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, formerly known as the Dauphiné.
He finished third in a race won by Isaac del Toro, but his performance was not entirely convincing. He did not appear capable of matching the Mexican’s pace, raising questions about his form.
Juan Ayuso endured a difficult first season at Lidl-Trek
A disappointing first year at Lidl-Trek
The biggest test came at the Tour de France. It was the main reason he left UAE Team Emirates, and the race in which Lidl-Trek had given him leadership duties. Ayuso, however, failed to meet expectations and finished seventh, behind even his teammate Mattias Skjelmose.
The rider himself admitted that he had not felt strong in the key mountain stages. He also failed to make an impression in the 26-kilometre individual time trial. The result was particularly disappointing given the expectations surrounding his move to the German team.
His second major goal in the latter part of the season was the World Championships in Canada. Ayuso travelled to North America to prepare, but his races in Quebec and Montreal were also disappointing. After crashing in Quebec, he failed to finish the Montreal race and could not challenge the leaders at the World Championships, where he placed 13th.
Things did not improve at the European Championships. Despite the confidence Alejandro Valverde had shown in him, the Valencian was unable to finish the race. He later placed 73rd at Il Lombardia.
Félix Gall, another contender for leadership at Lidl-Trek
His final race was the Tour of Guangxi, a notable addition to his calendar. Ayuso finished sixth overall in a race whose decisive moment for the contenders came on the final stage. Luis Barré, Marco Brenner and Martin Tjøtta all finished ahead of the Spaniard.
Another factor that could shape Ayuso’s future is Félix Gall’s arrival at Lidl-Trek. The team already had several riders capable of taking responsibility in Grand Tours, including Mattias Skjelmose and Ayuso himself. It has now added a rider who has claimed podium finishes at both the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España.
His signing raises questions about how responsibilities will be shared within the team and what role Ayuso will have in the coming seasons. It does not necessarily mean Lidl-Trek has lost faith in the Spaniard, but it does increase internal competition for the biggest objectives.
Movistar Team, a long-term possibility
Movistar Team enters the picture in this scenario. The Spanish team has always sought to have Spanish leaders and came close to signing Carlos Rodríguez, but Ineos ultimately retained the Granada-born rider through a contractual clause.
Ayuso could fit that sporting philosophy, particularly if he needs a new environment to rediscover his best form. However, a substantial financial obstacle stands in the way. The Valencian earns more than five million euros at Lidl-Trek, a figure Movistar Team cannot currently match.
The rider is also under contract with the German team until 2030. Cycling contracts can be broken, as his departure from UAE Team Emirates shows, but there is no reason to expect an immediate move.
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His performance in 2027 will be crucial. If he rediscovers his best form and proves he can compete for Grand Tour victories, his position at Lidl-Trek could become more secure. But another disappointing season would deepen the doubts about his future and could prompt speculation about a possible departure.
At just 24, Ayuso still has enormous potential. He has already reached the Vuelta a España podium, won Tirreno-Adriatico and shown that he can prevail in week-long stage races. He also has the qualities to excel in classics longer than 200 kilometres, though he still needs to prove he can adapt more successfully to that kind of race.
Movistar Team does not look like an option for 2027 or 2028, but results could change the picture. Ayuso needs to rediscover his best form at Lidl-Trek and show that leaving UAE was the right decision. His 2027 season could prove decisive in determining whether he remains one of the German team’s leading riders or eventually needs to find a new home.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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