It has been a bruising few days for Juan Ayuso at the Giro
d’Italia, physically, mentally, and now, quite literally. After cracking
spectacularly in the high mountains and tumbling out of GC contention, the
Spaniard is now a doubt for Stage 18 following a bee sting that has left his
eye visibly swollen.
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport,
Ayuso’s participation is uncertain. The UAE Team Emirates rider will attempt a
short warm-up before the stage, after which a decision will be made on whether
he takes the start.
It adds another cruel twist to what was meant to be Ayuso’s
coming of age Grand Tour. Instead, he has endured a nightmare second half to
the race. On Stage 17, he limped across the line in 141st place, more than 30
minutes behind, as teammate Isaac Del Toro soared to stage victory and
solidified his grip on the maglia rosa.
Just weeks ago, Ayuso was tipped as a podium contender, if
not a genuine challenger for pink. Now, at 22 years old, he finds himself
watching from the shadows as Del Toro, just 21 and riding his second Grand
Tour, becomes the new golden boy of UAE Team Emirates – XRG.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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Brucegel14-11-2026 - I live in Maribor.PogiSloFans14-11-2026
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