Does Juan Ayuso see a dilemma about dual leadership with Skjelmose? - Lidl-Trek star addresses Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes situation

Juan Ayuso tackles stage 4 of the Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes in a prime position on the general classification after Lidl-Trek’s solid team time trial. The Spaniard and Mattias Skjelmose put themselves well in play ahead of the decisive mountain days.

This scenario has fuelled speculation about a possible shared leadership at the race within the American squad. However, Ayuso was blunt in shutting down any debate. Before addressing the overall situation, the Spaniard spoke highly of his team’s collective display the previous day. “I think we did a very good time trial,” he told Cycling Pro Net.

Ayuso acknowledged that Lidl-Trek took on the effort without some of the riders who usually make the difference in the discipline. “Of course we missed some of the big guys, Mads Pedersen, Mathias Vacek, all these guys I think at the Tour are going to make a big difference,” he explained.

Even so, he highlighted the commitment from every teammate: “I think everyone really bought in yesterday and did a great job, and I think we can be proud of it,” he said.

Although he expects the Tour de France team time trial to be very different, Ayuso believes the experience is valuable for building automatisms within the group.

“As you say, it’s completely different,” he said when comparing both courses. He detailed how the layout of the difficulties forced a very different strategy to what will be needed in July. “Yesterday was quite tricky because the hard part was at the start, so you had to hold the pace not to lose the team and then have them for the finish. It’s completely the opposite.”

Beyond the course profile, the Spaniard stressed the importance of working together. “The discipline itself, it’s good to do it, to get to know your teammates, how you work, also from the car, everything,” he noted. That is why he feels Lidl-Trek come out strengthened from the exercise. “I think for the Tour we’re very prepared after yesterday and all the training we’ve done.”

On the race situation, Ayuso judged the TTT balance as positive. “I think we gained some time on some rivals and lost to others, so more or less we’re there, somewhere in the middle,” he analysed.

His and Skjelmose’s presence among the leading riders bolsters the team’s optimism. “We’re fifth and sixth on GC, so that’s already a good sign heading into the weekend,” he said.

Even so, the Spaniard reminded that the accumulated fatigue from the opening days could shape the outcome. “This race has been super hard the last three days, so maybe it will make the difference, but probably not.”

The question of who should assume leadership within Lidl-Trek drew Ayuso’s most forceful reply. Asked whether the race was offering answers about a possible hierarchy between him and Skjelmose, the Spaniard made his disagreement with that framing clear.

“To be honest, these questions seem ridiculous to me,” he replied.

Ayuso underlined that the priority is the team’s collective interest, not any internal rivalry. “We’re both teammates and we’re both here to help each other, and whoever is the strongest then will decide the result,” he explained. Hence his firm conclusion: “I don’t see any dilemma.”