"He has everything to make it" - Juan Ayuso gets the stamp of approval from one of Lidl-Trek's leaders

Jonathan Milan is one of the best sprinters in the world and from 2026 he will be teammate's with Juan Ayuso at Lidl-Trek. The Italian has discussed several topics ahead of the 2026 season, including the Spaniard who is the grand novelty in the lineup after a few rocky years with UAE Team Emirates - XRG.

In an interview with Nacho Labarga for Marca, the sprinter spoke about his new teammate's chances of winning a grand tour, the great team that the German outfit will have next year and his hopes for the upcoming campaign in which his team has not yet decided whether to bet on him or Mads Pedersen for the Tour de France.

"Yes, he has the talent to do it. Which one (of the Grand Tours will he race, ed.)? That will depend on a lot of things, but he has everything to make it." Ayuso is likely to race the Tour de France in 2026, as Mattias Skjelmose revealed before the Tour de France that he had been promised a spot and full leadership at the 2026 Giro d'Italia, leaving the Spaniard with a clear path towards the upcoming season.

But the team has, besides Milan and Mads Pedersen who have their own 'healthy' rivalry when it comes to leadership positions in the top races, several climbers to which they must split the calendar between throughout the season. "That's up to the directors to decide. Juan, Skjelmose, Cicco (Giulio Ciccone, ed.)... They are very strong riders. Next year will be nice to see."

The Italian won two stages and the points classification at the Tour de France, something that did not come as a shock, but a confirmation of the 25-year old's talent and versatility on the bike. It was the end of a story that had been developing for years.

"It was a very important achievement for me and for the team. It was a goal set since December and we pushed very hard to get to the Tour in good condition. To achieve it together was special. It gives you confidence, me and all the guys around me," he admits.

Whilst Mads Pedersen has expressed strong desire to race the Tour de France, and should have it taking into consideration his role and importance in the team, Milan may be put aside for a year and instead race the Giro. Or, perhaps not race either, and exclusively focus on the one Grand Tour in which he hasn't won yet. "I'm missing the Vuelta a España. Winning a stage there would be a huge dream," he winks.

"It's a dream for any cyclist to win in the three majors. I'm missing that stage and it's a big goal. I don't know when I'll go, we have to define the calendar, but I'd like to do it in the next few years. First a stage... and maybe one day fight for the points jersey."

But Milan, much like Lorena Wiebes in the women's field, wants to be more than just a sprinter, and is also eyeing an evolution in the spring classics next year. "I'd like to step up in the Monuments. I love Sanremo, Gent (Gent Wevelgem, termed In Flanders Fields in 2026, ed.) and [Paris] Roubaix. Roubaix has something special: the pavé, the history... It's a beautiful race. It's a race that touches you inside."

Regarding the work on his sprinting position: "I want to keep improving the position: being so tall has its advantages... and its problems. Very much so. He is very kind and gives me advice on how to improve the position. I'm very tall and it's difficult to be compact. We work to be more aerodynamic and improve little by little."

Milan, despite having reached the top of the cycling world, is fully aware that he needs to keep evolving to maintain his position. And the same applies to Lidl-Trek, who have to deal with UAE, Visma and now Red Bull - BORA too as cycling's super teams:

"Right now they are stronger, we saw that this year. But our team is growing, motivated and pushing towards big goals. We need time, but I'm sure we'll get there. UAE and Visma are stronger now, but I am sure that with time we will reach their level."