Juan Ayuso & Adam Yates co-leaders with mountain support from Vine, Majka, Del Toro & McNulty - Joxean Matxin breaks down UAE's Giro d'Italia 2025 lineup
Cycling
The first Grand Tour of the 2025 season is almost upon us, and although at time of writing, only the INEOS Grenadiers have officially confirmed their lineup for the Giro d'Italia, UAE Team Emirates - XRG boss Joxean Matxin has broken down what we can expect from his side Maglia Rosa challenge.
Similarly to the aforementioned INEOS, who have opted for a two-pronged GC attack with Egan Bernal and Thymen Arensman, UAE are also hedging their bets on co-leaders as Juan Ayuso and Adam Yates share the responsibilities of leadership in the team according to Matxin. In conversation with Mundo Deportivo, the UAE boss gave special attention to the hopes of the Spaniard Ayuso.
"I see Juan doing well. The planning and preparation are on the right track. His training camp in Sierra Nevada has shown promising indicators in terms of numbers, data, structure, and athletic planning — especially regarding those training blocks, both in general and in specific aspects," says Matxin. "We’ve made adjustments for active rest at altitude and activation work to prepare for such a major goal like the Giro."
As mentioned though, Ayuso isn't the only hope of the UAE team at the coming Grand Tour. "Yes, he’ll go in as co-leader with Adam Yates," Matxin explains. "We have a fantastic team, with four crucial riders supporting them: Jay Vine, Rafal Majka, Isaac del Toro, and Brandon McNulty — plus two cyclists who are brilliant and can execute perfectly, Filippo Baroncini and Igor Arrieta."
"We have a very strong and well-balanced squad, and I believe we can play a key role. I don’t know exactly at what level — especially because we don’t know the condition of our rivals — but we are arriving in good shape," concludes Matxin's preview. "Juan is in great form, Yates has improved a lot, Majka is riding very well, the whole team is performing, and the outlook is promising."
It’s not just a color.
— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) April 23, 2025
It’s a promise.
A symbol around the world.
It’s the Maglia Rosa.
A new chapter begins.
.
Non è solo un colore.
È una promessa.
Un simbolo nel mondo.
È la Maglia Rosa.
Un nuovo capitolo inizia.#GirodItalia / Iuman - Intimissimi Uomo @CastelliCycling pic.twitter.com/2EELgC4Pv2
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
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