“I believe the gold medal is possible” - One nation hoping to ride wave of momentum to rainbow jersey at 2026 World Championships
Cycling
Juan Ayuso approaches the Montréal 2026 World Championships with an ambition that leaves no room for half measures. After a season marked by crashes, illness, and a Tour de France he himself calls disappointing, the Spaniard says he has finally found the sensations he had been chasing for months. Now, at the Worlds, he refuses to limit his goals to a medal: he believes gold is within reach, as he makes clear in an interview with MARCA.
Spain also heads into Sunday buoyed by a notably strong start to the World Championships in the youth categories. Héctor Álvarez has already taken two medals and Benjamín Noval claimed the junior world title, a run of results Ayuso has followed closely and celebrates as a lift for the whole team.
“Pressure? No. Honestly, it’s a joy because I came through the youth ranks and spent time with the staff. Seeing the happiness they’re having is a joy. I’ve followed Héctor very closely, he’s my teammate, and I’ve been talking a lot with him. It’s a pity he was so close to gold twice, but he has already shown what kind of rider he is,” the Spaniard explains.
The Spanish rider has been highlighted alongside Enric Mas as one of Spain’s two main cards for the elite men’s race. The difference from previous months, in his own words, lies in the sensations with which he now approaches competition.
Juan Ayuso, a Lidl-Trek star in 2026.
Ayuso believes he has the right build-up to Worlds
Ayuso believes his Worlds build-up has been very different to the one before the Tour and says he arrives in Montreal ready to fight for the top places. The confidence he projects ahead of the race also matches the ambition with which he tackles the Worlds course.
“Yes, without a doubt. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here. The preparation has been very good, unlike what I had before the Tour, so I’m very happy. I think I’ve arrived in great shape and we’re aiming for everything,” he says.
The Spaniard refuses to hide among the favourites or scale back his expectations to a minor placing. After a difficult year, the Worlds present a chance to contest a major objective again, and Ayuso insists his condition allows him to think about victory.
The rider’s ambition is even clearer when asked if he would accept a bronze medal in advance. His answer is blunt. Ayuso will not take the start thinking about securing third place, but about fighting for the rainbow jersey.
“No. We’re back to the same question. People can say what they want, but by no means. I’ve tested myself very well, I think gold is possible,” he replies.
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Juan Ayuso would “by no means” settle for bronze
The Spaniard knows the final outcome will depend on how the race unfolds and the circumstances that arise on the road. That is why, although his initial goal is to fight for victory, he also makes it clear he will judge his ride based on the effort made and how events play out.
“Then, if I take silver, bronze, fifth, tenth or twentieth, we’ll have to see how the race goes and I’ll surely be proud to have given everything, but we’re going out to win and we’ll see what happens on Sunday,” Ayuso concludes.
With Enric Mas and Juan Ayuso as the key references, Spain approaches the elite men’s race at the Montréal Worlds after a championship that has already delivered major results in the youth ranks. Ayuso, for his part, arrives with a clear idea: the race circumstances will decide the result, but his goal on the start line is the rainbow jersey.
Jorge BorregueroWriter
Jorge Borreguero is a journalist with a degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and has been a writer for Cyclinguptodate and Ciclismoaldia since early 2023. In this role, he has played a key part in the evolution of the website, particularly as a specialist covering Movistar Team. He regularly writes race reports, analytical pieces, and in-depth features about the team, and has conducted exclusive interviews and attended multiple team presentations, providing readers with firsthand insights into one of the leading professional cycling squads.
Throughout his career, Jorge has maintained a strong focus on sports journalism, gaining experience across a variety of disciplines, including basketball and football. However, his current work is almost entirely dedicated to cycling, contributing extensively to Ciclismoaldia and its sister website Cyclinguptodate. For these platforms, he combines thorough research with detailed reporting to deliver high-quality content, ranging from race previews and results to expert analysis of teams and riders.
Jorge’s reporting is marked by accuracy, depth, and a commitment to providing readers with reliable and authoritative information. His direct engagement with teams, athletes, and events ensures that his coverage reflects firsthand knowledge and professional insight. Through his work, he has established himself as a trusted voice in professional cycling journalism, bridging the gap between the sport and its global audience while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
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