“Don’t invent stories where there aren’t any” - Julien Bernard hits back at criticism of Juan Ayuso after Itzulia abandon
Cycling
Juan Ayuso’s difficult Itzulia Basque Country 2026 has taken another turn, with Lidl-Trek’s Julien Bernard publicly stepping in to defend the Spaniard after criticism emerged on social media following his abandon on Stage 4.
Ayuso had already been struggling earlier in the race, visibly suffering with stomach issues before eventually stepping off the bike, bringing an end to a week that had quickly unravelled after his crash in Paris-Nice and subsequent disrupted build-up.
Teammate steps in to shut down criticism
In the aftermath of his withdrawal, questions began to circulate online around Ayuso’s role within the team, with suggestions he had not contributed enough in support of team-mates.
Bernard, however, moved quickly to dismiss that narrative, offering a firm rebuttal based on what had unfolded inside the race itself. “I’m so tired of reading this kind of thing. For the past two days they’ve been trying as best they can to help us.”
Rather than a lack of effort, Bernard pointed to a rider already pushing through difficult circumstances in an attempt to contribute.
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Team decision to protect Ayuso for Ardennes
Crucially, Bernard also revealed that the call for Ayuso to ease off was not a personal decision, but one made within the team. “It was Skjelmose who went on the radio today to tell him not to push his body and to think about the Ardennes.”
That insight shifts the context significantly, suggesting Ayuso’s withdrawal was part of a broader, longer-term approach rather than a sign of disengagement. With the Ardennes Classics approaching, preserving condition rather than forcing through illness appears to have been prioritised.
Juan Ayuso at Itzulia Basque Country 2026
“Don’t invent stories where there aren’t any”
Bernard’s frustration was clear as he addressed the speculation directly, urging observers not to draw conclusions disconnected from the reality inside the peloton. “Don’t invent stories where there aren’t any.”
The response underlines the gap that can emerge between external perception and internal team dynamics, particularly in situations where illness or unseen struggles play a decisive role.
After a week defined by setbacks, Ayuso’s focus now turns to recovery, with his planned Ardennes campaign still in view and, as Bernard made clear, with the backing of those inside the team firmly intact.
Un compañero de Juan Ayuso sale en su defensa tras leer críticas por su abandono, en las que acusan al español de no querer ayudar a Skjelmose 💬 pic.twitter.com/BtbWygBvuq
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) April 9, 2026
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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