UPDATE: Juan Ayuso abandons Itzulia Basque Country after illness struggles worsen

Juan Ayuso has opened up on the physical struggles behind his difficult start to Itzulia Basque Country 2026, revealing he has been dealing with significant stomach problems alongside the after-effects of his recent crash at Paris-Nice.

Speaking to Cycling Pro Net ahead of Stage 4, the Lidl-Trek rider admitted the opening days of the race have been far from smooth. “It was a really tough day, and I didn’t feel good. I also had quite a big stomach problem yesterday. It’s been a pretty difficult few days that I’ve been going through. I hope my body starts to improve and that I can be useful for the team in the final days.”

Ayuso’s condition has clearly impacted his performances, with the Spaniard unable to feature at the front of the race so far. “I think everything is adding up a bit,” he said. “Like I said, yesterday I was faster from the finish to the bus to go to the toilet than I was in the stage itself. That’s how it is, you have to go through it, and I hope I can survive it.”

In his current condition, there was little attempt to dress things up. “I’m still on the same trend as the past few days. I’ll get on the bike and see how the legs respond. But for now, it’s not great.”

Ayuso also reflected on the challenge of competing at the top level while not at his best, drawing a contrast with the form currently shown by race leader Paul Seixas. “When you have those legs, it’s easier than people might expect. I’ve also been in moments similar to what he’s going through. I’m not saying you feel invincible, but you do feel like everything is under control.”

By contrast, his own situation has been far more difficult to manage. “It’s more moments like the one I’m going through now, where nothing really works the way you want. You have to try to stay calm, not lose sight of the bigger goal and remember that the biggest achievements are still to come, and try to get through it.”

Whether his condition improves in time to influence the final stages remains to be seen, but for now, Ayuso is fighting a very different battle to the one he would have expected coming into the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country.

Juan Ayuso’s difficult week at Itzulia Basque Country 2026 has now come to an early end, with the Spaniard abandoning during Stage 4 after his condition failed to improve.

The Lidl-Trek rider had already been struggling with stomach issues across the opening stages, losing significant time on general classification and admitting he was simply trying to get through the race.

Those struggles ultimately proved too much, with Ayuso stepping off during the stage as the relentless Basque terrain and race intensity compounded his condition.

His withdrawal marks a disappointing conclusion to a race that had already slipped away, and now shifts the focus fully onto recovery ahead of the upcoming Ardennes Classics.