22/08/2024

Movistar deny contact with Juan Ayuso but do not deny interest: "If the time comes, we'll see what can happen"

The Vuelta a España, like every year, is the big event of the season for Movistar Team. In such an open edition, it is impossible not to get excited about a possible victory in the general classification by the hand of Enric Mas. Eusébio Unzué, manager of the Spanish team, responds to the rumours of the team's contact with Juan Ayuso and the ongoing situation.

The young rider from Barcelona is not going through his best moment at UAE Team Emirates due to the tension generated after the last Tour de France, which left him out of La Vuelta. For this reason, there has been talk of hypothetical talks between Ayuso and Movistar Team. However Eusebio Unzué, general manager of the Spanish team, has denied in conversation with MARCA that this has happened, but has not ruled out that there is interest either.

"Honestly, no," answers Unzué to the question of whether they have spoken with Juan Ayuso. "He is a man with a contract and we know that as long as this is the case.... Many of us would like to have him, without any doubt. But he continues in his team. No matter how much we talk, we are not going to be able to either... it depends on him and his team."

Joaquím Rodríguez opinion on UAE/Juan Ayuso situation: "I think that this situation is bad for both parties"

Unzué's consonance with Matxín's words

In words to CyclingUpToDate over the weekend, Matxín assured that Juan Ayuso "is heritage" of UAE Team Emirates, and that he has "contract until 2028". For that reason Unzué explains how difficult it is right now to negotiate a hypothetical bomb signing of the Spanish rider.

Even so, when asked if Movistar Team would try if Ayuso asked to leave the UAE team, Eusebio Unzué did not want to close the door: "If the time comes, we'll see what can happen," he assured.

There is no doubt that Juan Ayuso would become the leader that Movistar Team has been looking for since last year, when it was about to get Carlos Rodriguez, who ultimately stayed at INEOS Grenadiers. The signing of the Barcelona rider would more than compensate for the departures of Alex Aranburu to Cofidis (already confirmed) and Oier Lazkano to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe.