Criticism launched at Tadej Pogacar and UAE: "Ayuso is being marginalized in a very childish way"

Juan Ayuso is one of the most talented riders in pro cycling but also one of the most controversial, even if not necessarily by his own actions. The Spaniard is a constant topic since last year's Tour de France, and former pro rider Thomas Dekker doesn't understand why the Spaniard is so heavily criticized.

Ayuso abandoned the Giro d'Italia after a lingering knee injury which saw him lose time on the first day of the Giro's final week, combined with a bee sting which then prevented him from racing properly on stage 17. UAE Team Emirates - XRG had Isaac del Toro in winning position throughout the entire race, and the co-leadership was a daily topic of discussion.

The negative situation between Juan Ayuso and UAE is evident. But the Spanish rider is being lynched too much according to pundit Thomas Dekker, in statements to In De Leiderstrui.

The former Dutch pro is critical of UAE and even Tadej Pogacar for marginalizing Ayuso: "You see that Pogacar is happy when Del Toro is successful, while Ayuso is being marginalized in a very childish way. They are mature people, but it's really very childish," Dekker pointed out forcefully.

For Dekker, who remains firm in his criticism of Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian has a very high importance in UAE's decision-making, and thus takes the opportunity to "isolate" him from the team:

"You have to be well placed in the hierarchy to belong to a certain side. That's very noticeable at UAE. You can see in everything that Pogacar has influence from his high-altitude training and that he is actually ruling out Ayuso," added Thomas Dekker.

Lastly, Dekker concluded his criticism by saying that Juan Ayuso should go to Movistar Team: "I think he is serious enough to prepare successfully in the Spanish team".