"It was something mutual and in the best interest of the team" - Juan Ayuso reacts to Vuelta a Espana snub

The big general classification hope for Spanish cycling in Grand Tours, Juan Ayuso was initially planned to once again be a leading light of the Vuelta a Espana in 2024. As it turned out however, the UAE Team Emirates man will not be present in the final Grand Tour of the season.

“After the Tour ended, my first thought was, naturally, La Vuelta," admits Ayuso, who finished 3rd and 4th at the Vuelta a Espana in 2022 and 2023 respectively, in conversation with AS. "Obviously it is a race that is very close to my heart and I have special memories of it.”

Whilst even the Vuelta a Espana director Javier Guillen came out into the press and pleaded UAE Team Emirates to send the Spanish star to his home Grand Tour, the decision was eventually made that 21-year-old would not be involved in the team's eight man lineup for the race.

“Honestly, in the following weeks the Tour de France, I never got back to my level. Seeing how I felt in training, the team and I spoke and decided that it was better to focus on the original plan which was to go to the Olympic Games and then compete in Canada in September," he explains of the situation to AS. "It was something mutual and in the best interest not only for this year, but also for the future.”

“Personally, I am now motivated and I only look forward to getting back to my best level before the season ends,” concludes the 2024 Itzulia Basque Country winner. "This year it hurts, because after many months of preparation and effort, everything you have worked for is gone in a moment, but you have to accept it and continue as normal. You feel like you have not been able to get out and show everything you had and what you have worked for.”