Things haven't exactly been going to plan for 21-year-old Spanish starlet Juan Ayuso. After a few controversial moments at the 2024 Tour de France, Ayuso abandoned on stage 13 due to Covid. Returning to racing on Saturday in the road race of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, 22nd was the best he could manage.
“I am exhausted," Ayuso gasped post-Olympic road race in quotes collected by AS having crossed the line over two minutes down on the eventual gold medal winner, Remco Evenepoel. "In terms of sport, the position is nothing special, but I will take with me the experience, one that I will never be able to forget."
As mentioned, part of the reason for Ayuso's recent struggles has been Covid and the subsequent struggles to return to a top level. "It has been three difficult weeks. Today I thought I would not even finish," the 21-year-old continues his reflection. "Then, at times I saw myself dreaming of the medal. I have suffered as much as I could and that makes me feel proud. I thought that in three or four days I would be fine, like other times I had COVID, but this time, for reasons unknown to me, I have been three weeks without getting on the bike."
The big question lingering for Ayuso however, remains his participation in the upcoming Vuelta a Espana. Having claimed finishes of 3rd and 4th in 2022 and 2023 respectively, many expected the Spaniard to once again fly the flag for UAE Team Emirates this time around, with race director Javier Guillen even using his public platform to plead the team to send his nation's brightest general classification hopeful to his home Grand Tour.
As widely reported however, as things stand, Ayuso remains in a position of 'first reserve' for the 2024 Vuelta a Espana. Despite this, AS reports that Ayuso says he "would like" to get another crack at the final Grand Tour of the year. Time will tell if he gets his wish.
Paris 2024 ✅ No fue el resultado deseado, pero después de unas semanas difíciles, ha sido un honor representar a España dando todo lo que tenía. Gracias a todos los aficionados que ayer llenaron Paris de banderas de 🇪🇸 y a los que desde casa animaron. Orgulloso de ser 🇪🇸 ❤️
