Criticism launched at Tadej Pogacar and UAE: "Ayuso is being marginalized in a very childish way"
CyclingWednesday, 04 June 2025 at 13:55
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".
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- He won't win the TDF unless Pogi messes up somehow. Pogačar didn't have a team when Vingo beat him. Now, the teams are near even and head to head Pogačar is just a better ridermd197503-07-2025
- Guy is a great classic rider, if he concentrated on a GT only I think he could win one. However, he would have to be all in to try. I like him great ridermd197503-07-2025
- To win of top 3, he needs support. A d according to the roster, they are taking a sprinter and lead out man. So, come time to climb, Remco is down 2 team members for support. To win a race like the TDF you need skill, luck (illness and falls), directions from the team and more than anything a team built to be your support on flat and then climbs. Not be out manned before you even see a climbmd197503-07-2025
- I agree, the big GC guys are there, but looking at the list, it seems a bit few teams with real GC ambitions. Or is it normal, half of the team are only there for stagesRide197402-07-2025
- Win all of the first 10 stages? Or does he mean that the profile of all of those 10 stages are suited for a win by Wout? If they mean winning 10 stages, they're banking on MVDP, Milan, and a few others to crash out on stage one. Maybe something was lost in translation.Ride197402-07-2025
- The problem is that grand tours are not always won by the best riders. In the 2025 Giro d'italia, Carapaz was the strongest rider - but Simon Yates and Del Toro had really good days on Stages 20 and 9 respectively, so they both finished ahead of him
Llywelynglyndwr02-07-2025 - God what an a hole - why does this site insist on giving a platform to these pundits who have never won a race ?Crashjames02-07-2025
- Jonas admires Tadej, he has said repeatedly he is fascinated watching him racing the classics. Normal, any intellectually honest person admire such a generational talent who's been astounding the world with his incredible versatility since he was 18-19 y.o.
maria2024202402-07-2025 - Agreed. It's a shame to watch such a talented and versatile rider spending ... 90% ?... of his resources being a domestique. FREE WOUT!!! ahahah.maria2024202402-07-2025
- Surprised there's no De Plus.joebloggs02-07-2025
Can't take to Ayuso despite him being my Giro tip. There's just something I can't pinpoint about the way he rides or his demeanour or his work rate for the team that I don't get. The perception on marginalisation is possible but how much is of his own doing. If he's not content he should waive his big contract and find some peace somewhere else
Totally agreed. He should escape UAE’s golden handcuffs. In many other teams he would be the outright leader.
The problem with Ayuso is he shouts for leadership yet the only thing performing is his mouth...
14 wins in 4.5 years is not exactly nothing! Plus some pretty prestigious podiums. All at the age of 22. Kid needs to get some maturity, but talent is not missing.
Dekker, if you want the job of commentator, at least follow Tadej. Every time Ayuso wins, Tadej likes him and posts congratulations. It never happens reciprocally, never Ayuso posts congratulations to his team-mates. There are people who like to play alone (it's not marginalization).
Maybe if you see the results Pog has under his belt is the reason he makes decisions within the team. You can always make comments after the race or incident has occured. Hindsight fantastic. I feel the comments are sour grapes by Dekker crap rider when a pro and now sitting in the chair complaining. Would not even mind if it was good journalism even .move on nothing to see here old news.
We don't know the whole story in it but don't create some issues Thomas Dekker. I know you're also has a Rabobank-Michael Rasmussen biological passport issue as well in your 2007 days.
The Ayuso pile-on get's a bit ridiculous at times. Ayuso didn't lose the Giro for UAE. It was crappy strategy by UAE. And maybe Yates just being stronger.
UAE had by far the strongest team even after losing Ayuso and Vine, but didn't use them effectively. For example why wasn't McNulty sent ahead as a satellite rider on Stage 20. If Van Aert made it over the hill so could have Mcnulty. Problem is McNulty was too high on the GC so he wouldn't have been let go. So why the heck was McNulty chasing a meaningless top 10 on GC instead of shedding some time so he could be rested and useful for his leader? Why was Adam Yates invisible for much of the race? Why did it sometimes feel like Majka was the only one all in on supporting Del Toro?
Strategy? What strategy? They had less than Viable had at the Vuelta Kuss won. When you read management trying to offload blame with turns like « we tried to encourage him » (IDT) to watch Yates, you have to ask, is anyone directing anything? How about TELLING him?
Of all the riders only he got bitten. Of course it was the Pogi-Bee
Juan must have searched a beehive and stuck his face in it so he wouldn't have to work for his team-mate in pink 😄😄😄
He certainly likes to be numero unos - verbally 😁