Juan Ayuso, after winning the Tirreno Adriatico: "Thank goodness I had Isaac del Toro. I suffered a bit at the end".
Cycling
At this moment, there is no doubt that Juan Ayuso is the best Spanish cyclist of the moment. But not only that, he is one of the best in the world. The young UAE Team Emirates - XRG star has swept the queen stage of the Tirreno Adriatico and with it, virtually the overall classification too.
Ayuso has achieved his third victory of the season, and on his way to the 4th, since with this triumph the UAE rider has taken the lead of a general classification that he has sentenced. He will only have to arrive safely at the finish line to certify his victory.
After the finish line, the Spaniard admits that he had to suffer until the end to take the victory. In fact, he reveals that the help of Isaac del Toro was key to be able to attack - the Mexican put on such a strong stint in the front of the peloton that Adam Yates himself couldn't contribute to the victory.
"It went very well, the team worked very hard, we did what we had to do, at the end we set a strong pace. It was very windy and it was going very well on the wheel, so luckily I had Isaac del Toro," he said. "He did very well, because the rest were also stuck. I went for it and I was able to set my pace all the way to the finish. Of course, I suffered a little at the end, but I could do it".
With a flurry of attacks, the Spaniard was able to dislodge Tom Pidcock, Jai Hindley and Mikel Landa who each put out great performances on the ascent to Frontignano, but the spotlight would all be on the 21-year old who has virtually sealed the overall win after former race leader Filippo Ganna expectedly struggled on the final climb.
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Teamwork truly makes the dream work!🔥🙌#TirrenoAdriatico #WeAreUAE pic.twitter.com/9KVH61usUG
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) March 15, 2025
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- Is this a joke?Jkolner12316-03-2025
- He has declined leadership though in the past? Lack of confidence? Hedging your bets works sometimes, at other times it is better to commit and go in big.Cyclingsbestfan16-03-2025
- Pidcock is starting sound like a more mature rider. It may be the media reports when he was at ineos skewing things, but he starting to sound like a defferent person.Cyclingsbestfan16-03-2025
- Yep If he could just get some consistency going with his form, he would be a rider to be reckoned with in any gc race. As it is he blows hot and cold.Cyclingsbestfan16-03-2025
- I was watching the race live, and it seems like this crash could have been avoided. A pre-race course inspection and appropriate signage.yuckly16-03-2025
- Jonas won T-A last tear and wanted to do P-N this year. Jorgensen also wanted to do it, he declined every si gle opportunity to be a solo leader, eevry stage race Jonas doesn't do, Girovappaxbipmv16-03-2025
- I agree, he either needs a surprise attack in the final, win a sprint or just somehow overpower everyonevappaxbipmv16-03-2025
- Did old man Bruyneel make this point before Jonas crashed out?Renz16-03-2025
- Good win for Ayuso. He has appeared a bit inconsistent on mountain stages in the past; absolutely brilliant on some but then cracking on others.Cooldude16-03-2025
- A little caution is understandable. Just ask Roglic.Cooldude16-03-2025