"I wanted to work with him. However, I didn't have the legs" - Juan Ayuso explains lack of Spanish cohesiveness following Landa attack at La Vuelta

There have basically been two battles going on at the Vuelta a Espana over the past few days. The battle for the Red Jersey within Jumbo-Visma and the battle for best Spaniard and 4th overall between Juan Ayuso, Mikel Landa and Enric Mas. 18 stages down, it remains advantage Ayuso.

"I had a bad feeling yesterday. Fortunately, today things went better and better during the stage. I'm not going to use it as an excuse, but I wasn't feeling well health-wise yesterday. The initial phase was also very difficult in the previous stage, but today it wasn't too bad," Ayuso told Eurosport post-stage after coming home in 8th position on the day, alongside Mas and 3 seconds ahead of Landa.

When Landa had attacked on the final climb though, Ayuso was quickly onto his wheel. Any hopes of the pair working together however, were quickly quashed when Ayuso refused to come through after Landa had ushered him to do so.

"Landa attacked and was impressively strong," the UAE Team Emirates man says, explaining the situation more clearly. "He accelerated very fast. I managed to keep his wheel, after which I wanted to work with him. However, I didn't have the legs to get alongside. It's a shame that I couldn't help Landa and that we couldn't get time, but it is what it is. I hope I can recover from three very tough rides tomorrow. The last big fight will follow on Saturday. I expect a big battle."