Juan Ayuso 'happy and also relieved' that UAE departure news has been made public - "Now I can start focusing more on the race"

It has been a rather eventful 24 hours for Juan Ayuso. A departure from UAE Team Emirates - XRG had been previously agreed on for the end of the season, but team management decided to bring it forward in the schedule and make the announcement on the Vuelta a Espana's first rest day. The Spaniard started off the day with very strong words against his team's management, but could enjoy a better day on the bike where the team had reasons to celebrate.

It came as quite a surprise, that next to the UAE bus and next to the team's press officer, the 22-year old split ways with the team's frequently media-trained statements. This morning Ayuso aimed for his own team's management, criticizing the decision to share the news of his departure at such a specific time.

"I don't understand why UAE issued the statement without warning. They want to damage my image. I've suffered one disrespect after another from the team's management. It's been a dictatorship". Reportedly, he was only let known the statement would be issued minutes before it happened, catching him completely by surprise.

Ayuso's words against his team however were not against his teammates, and on today's 10th stage of the race to Larra Belagua - where Jay Vine captured a second stage win - Ayuso switched roles and hit the front of the peloton on the base of the final climb, launching João Almeida into an attack that looked to make the difference against Jonas Vingegaard and Visma.

"It's not easy. That's why I'm not competing for the general classification," Ayuso said in an interview with Eurosport. On the topic of the contract breaking, he added more details: "It's been two months since I've known this. I'm quite happy and also relieved that it's now out in the open. Things will calm down a bit more now. I can enjoy the race itself a bit more."

In words to TNT Sports the Spaniard continued on his more relaxed stance when comparing to this morning's words. "I'm glad that everything's starting to come to an end and now I can start focusing more on the race, helping my teammates or trying to go for a win. Next year will be a new chapter in my life and for sure I will enjoy it".