Juan Ayuso 'happy and also relieved' that UAE departure news has been made public - "Now I can start focusing more on the race"
Cycling
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".
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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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
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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