"I had to stop training for three or four days" - Juan Ayuso hit with illness before Tour de France but remains positive
CyclingFriday, 03 July 2026 at 13:45
Juan Ayuso will lead Lid-Trek at the 2026 Tour de France, but has seen his preparations for the race interrupted by a last minute injury. The 23-year-old finished fourth overall at last month's Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes but picked up an illness in the race's final weekend.
The Spanish climber turned heads by attacking on both stage 7 and 8's mountain-top finishes to finish second place only behind Isaac del Toro, putting himself in a strong position just three weeks out from the Grand Depart.
It's been an injury-disrupted season for Ayuso. He crashed out of Paris-Nice before an illness interrupted his Itzulia Basque Country - leading to him taking a period off the bike before his Auvergne return.
And Ayuso was once again taken off the bike before heading to Barcelona, but accepts that all is well as he looks to find his top shape this month. With Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard the favourites for the yellow jersey, Ayuso finds himself among the podium competitors also including paul Seixas, Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz.
“It didn't go as well as I had hoped, but considering the circumstances, I am in good shape," Ayuso told Wielerflits.
Ayuso on illness after Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
"After the Tour of the Basque Country, I had some health problems which kept me out of racing for a long time. Then I also fell ill during the Dauphiné [Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, ed.].”
The Spaniard insisted he's feeling good after Thursday's Team Presentation, and is taking the Grand Boucle in his stride: “The recovery was difficult, but I have been feeling good again for the last two weeks. I am happy to be here in the form I am in now. I am going to take it as it comes. I think I got the most out of it given the circumstances."
Going into the finer details, Ayuso started Auvergne's final stage with a headache. The illness deteriarated, but it thankfully coincided with a planned period of rest. Although not ideal, he's looking on the bright side.
Juan Ayuso suffered an illness at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Lidl-Trek leader looking on bright side
“I felt it Saturday evening. Sunday morning I had a headache. I am glad I was still able to ride a reasonably good stage. After that, I had to stop training for three or four days. I would have done that anyway, because normally that is a rest period," Ayuso said.
“If I had to choose a moment to get sick, it was then. I remain positive. I haven't lost as much if I had gotten sick now."
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His Lidl-Trek team includes Mattias Skjelmose, Derek Gee-West and Quinn Simmons when it comes to climbing support, and he's battening down the hatches for a fast and furious opening week, before a decisive finale in the Alps.
He added: “It is difficult to say. I can still improve during the race. The hardest part is at the end. I mainly have to survive the first week. The Alps will ultimately be decisive. Hopefully, I will be in good shape by then."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- I doubt these French teams have the financial prowess to pry him from the proverbial UAE's golden cage.
KerisVroom03-07-2026 - I want to see all the main contenders and their top lieutenants remain healthy through this tour. if that happens I think the podium is Pogi, Jonas, IsaacsweetishChef03-07-2026
- The man has always given a charming interview, and he continues here. He doesn’t disrespect anyone, praises every place he goes and every win, refuses to talk badly of past teams, and keeps a positive tone toward everyone. Plus he sees del Toro as his successor (did he ever say the same about Ayuso, Almeida, Yates? Don’t think so). Let’s hope he keeps this going during the Tour - we know from last year that when his tone shifts maybe he’s hurt. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.RidesHills03-07-2026
- My username is a play on his. Perhaps, it's also time for me to move on from cycling news.KerisVroom03-07-2026
- Can't blame him for hanging on. Those sweet, sweet $$$ are too enticing.KerisVroom03-07-2026
- What a slightly ignominious finish for a rider so dominant. He should've either seen the writing on the wall, or had someone in his inner circle with the guts to tell him - but then again, he was on a massive contract so who would turn down millions? At least he's finally acknowledged it. Leaving it hanging was deeply awkward and weird.antipodeanpedalfan03-07-2026
- Vino should use Horner's tactics: relocate to an obscure hotel at the last minute so doping controls can't find him to test. Then dope to the gills and go on to win the hardest mountain stage and the overall.Santiago03-07-2026
- Well knock me down with a feather!Lozza02-07-2026
- Go Pogi! ❤️Lozza02-07-2026
- I’ve always wondered if Chris Froome doped. He looked superhuman in some of his TdF races. But the new man on the throne is even better. The new Terminator !! I’m ready to be amazed at this year’s TdF again.
PogiFan2Day02-07-2026
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