Joaquím Rodríguez opinion on UAE/Juan Ayuso situation: "I think that this situation is bad for both parties"

Juan Ayuso has been one of the riders in the peloton that has been under the most speculation lately. Although the confirmation that he would not be at the Vuelta a España already happened week and a half ago, on the ground his name very frequently is brought up by journalists and important figures alike. Spanish cycling legend Joaquím Rodríguez was asked about his opinion on the complicated situation and this was his roponse:

One of the most authoritative voices in cycling, especially the Spanish, Joaquim Rodriguez: "I hope it is settled because Ayuso is a great rider, he is in a great team, and I think that this situation is bad for both parties, so I hope with all my heart that it is settled," 'Purito' told Marca at the Vuelta.

In the team the argument used often is that he was not in the best form after preparing for a Tour de France which he prepared for and then had to abandon due to a Covid-19 infection; and then having raced the Olympics. It is completely true that he would not have the ideal preparation for the Spanish Grand Tour, but fuel was added to the fire by figures outside of the team.

Spanish national coach Pascal Monparler for example, who led Ayuso at the Olympics, said that the UAE Team Emirates rider was 'perfect', further developing the duality of the statements regarding the 21-year old. Marca also reported recently that Movistar has also had conversations with his agent, although in no way does this mean that a transfer is imminent or being discussed.

It is one of the topics that just does not fade, and part of that is also because of Vuelta director Javier Guillén, who has openly said that he had personally asked the team to bring the rider to the Vuelta where he has performed well in the past. "Both the rider, the race and the country need Ayuso to be there," Guillén had said in words to AS.