Juan Ayuso admits pressure at debut Grand Tour: "I know there’s a big pressure, especially from Spanish people"

Juan Ayuso is set to make his Grand Tour debut today at the Vuelta a Espana, one of Spain's highest hopes, who will be racing for UAE Team Emirates with no defined role according to the hints given in the days leading up to the start.

“Actually, I didn’t know that fact so now I have something to tell my grandmother," Ayuso joked. "I know I’m the youngest in the race and that helps me to just enjoy it," he said in a press conference in Utrecht leading up to the start of the Vuelta. Ayuso is one of the youngest riders to compete in a modern Grand Tour, a selection that comes as a surprise, and will see him likely perform in the mountains.

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“I know there’s a big pressure, especially from Spanish people," he reveals. "I think I’m lucky my first grand tour is my home country. So really, I just want to learn and get prepared for the upcoming years.”.

After being touted as one of the most talented upcoming stage-racers - dominating the under-23 Giro at 18 years of age in 2021, Ayuso has quickly stepped up to pro level. This year he's finished on the Top5 of the Volta a Catalunya and the Tour de Romandie, and has recently taken his first pro win at the Circuito de Getxo.

“No, I know there’s pressure but I know how to handle it. For me, it’s not a problem," he concluded. At 19 years of age and on his first Grand Tour it is surprising that the Spaniard is going into the race with pressure, and has not been asked regarding his role in the team.

During the Volta a Catalunya this year he did not work for João Almeida in the stage that ended up deciding the race's GC outcome where his teammate lost the lead, leading to doubts over his commitment to the Portuguese rider's ambitions here at the Vuelta.