"I managed to keep up with Tadej for a while..." - Juan Ayuso cracks following Pogacar attack and misses medal in Kigali Worlds road race

Juan Ayuso admitted to a “tough day” on the cobbles after finishing eighth in the 2025 World Championship road race in Kigali, 6 minutes 47 seconds behind Tadej Pogacar, who rode to a commanding solo victory. The Spanish rider had been well-positioned during the decisive moments, but the combination of relentless climbs and punishing cobbled sections eventually took its toll.

“As a team, we raced really well,” Ayuso said in a post-race interview with Cycling Pro Net, praising the work of Iván Romeo and others, who protected him through the first four hours. “They looked after me brilliantly early on, and I felt good when we reached the big climb. Longer, sustained efforts are more my type, and I managed to keep up with Tadej for a while.”

However, the cobbled sections on the circuit, including the small climbs following Mont Kigali, proved unforgiving. “The cobbles didn’t treat me kindly today. I suffered both there and on the circuit. On the longer climbs, I was feeling strong, but the cobbles were really challenging. I think if I ever race Tour of Flanders, it’s going to be tough for me,” he admitted.

Ayuso reflected on his race decisions in the closing stages. “When I got dropped on the kicker, I think I made the smart decision to stop and wait for the group because in the middle, I wasn’t going anywhere. It’s a bit bittersweet — when the medals were being decided, I was just a little too far behind at the start of the cobbled section and crossed the finish line only about ten seconds behind the group. I wish I could have been a bit further forward, but it is what it is.”

Despite the disappointment, Ayuso expressed satisfaction with his effort and the support of his team. “Given the circumstances, I gave it my all, and I leave quite happy with how I raced,” he said.

The Spanish rider’s experience underlines the attritional nature of the Kigali course, which claimed numerous riders along the way. Pogacar’s solo in Kigali, Evenepoel’s heroic chase amidst mechanical problems, and the relentless pressure from other top contenders left few opportunities for riders like Ayuso to contest the podium.

Ultimately, while the rainbow jersey eluded him, Ayuso’s performance reflected both his resilience and tactical awareness. Battling both the terrain and the intensity of the championship, he remained attentive, protected, and committed to his effort, a clear demonstration of the calibre that sees him frequently competing among the sport’s elite.