"I feel ready to step up" - Juan Ayuso carries weight of UAE Team Emirates expectations at Tirreno-Adriatico

On the 4th of March, the weeklong Italian stage race, Tirreno-Adriatico is on the programme. Leading the charge for UAE Team Emirates will be Juan Ayuso.

"It’s been a very solid start to the year for both the team and for me personally," previews an optimistic Aysuo to the official website of UAE Team Emirates having secured podium finishes at each of Trofeo Laigueglia, Faun Drôme Classic, Faun-Ardèche Classic and the reduced Vuelta a Andalucia. "The beginning of last year was not so smooth so to be in this position now feels great and I’m excited for the racing to come."

The competition for Ayuso in the general classification is expected to be fierce at Tirreno-Adriatico with the likes of Jonas Vingegaard, Enric Mas and Tao Geoghegan Hart present among others. "This is my first World Tour race of the year so I know to expect a higher level but my condition is good and I feel ready to step up," says Ayuso. "We have a very strong team with a good mix of youth and experience so I think we can look forward to a good week of racing and aim for big results.”

Juan Ayuso, Mikkel Bjerg, Alessandro Covi, Isaac del Toro, Marc Hirschi, Rafal Majka and Michael Vink.