"It would be great if Almeida could win" - Juan Ayuso committing to domestique role at La Vuelta?

Juan Ayuso has won a stage at this Vuelta a Espana and he has said that after the confirmed news of his departure, that he can focus exclusively on the race once again. This Tuesday he was riding in support of João Almeida, and he talks well of the Portuguese rider whom he hopes to support into an overall victory.

Ayuso started off the stage with harsh words against the UAE management for the conflicting positions both stood in. On social media however there were countless questions regarding his continuation in the race.

"No, never. That's a discussion that's come through the media," Ayuso said in words to Eurosport after stage 10 of the Vuelta. "The other day I wasn't feeling well and when you don't feel well you can't really help."

The 22-year old has made it clear that he would not be leaving the race voluntarily. With a stage win in the bag and Jay Vine in the lead of the KOM classification, there will be no pressure from the team for him to be searching for more individual success, although this may happen sooner or later. Through breakaways he could also potentially become an important piece for UAE.

But on the climb to Larra-Belagua, he spent a few minutes in the head of the peloton, putting in a stint to prepare an attack from João Almeida. “Without a doubt, I was going much better than I was the stage before the rest day".

"João was feeling good, he was asking me to push, and I did. I rode until we caught up to Mikkel Bjerg. We rode well as a team and I think it went pretty well for us," he added, stating also that he wishes the team to win the Vuelta and that he will want to play a role in that.

“It would be great if Almeida could win. With Tadej’s Tour I had to pull out and I couldn’t celebrate in Paris, so it would be nice to do that in Madrid," Ayuso concluded.