Juan Ayuso is just one stage away from securing overall
victory at the 2025
Volta a Catalunya, but
Primoz Roglic is only one second
behind. The final day promises tension, tactics, and potential heartbreak, with
Ayuso clinging to a slender lead after a dramatic and disrupted queen stage on
Saturday.
What was meant to be the decisive mountain stage turned into
a tactical stalemate after extreme wind conditions forced organisers to cut the
route short and remove all major climbs. The revised 146-kilometre course
lacked the elevation expected to create significant gaps, and as a result, the
expected fireworks never materialised between the GC contenders.
"It was a super confusing day,"
Ayuso told Cyclism’Actu
after the stage. "I think the organizers did a really good job adapting to
the situation, because initially the finish was supposed to be at the top. In
the end, they managed to get everything back down, including the spectators.
They really managed to organize it very quickly."
Despite the logistical success, the day was far from
straightforward for the riders. “They made the best decision by neutralizing a
lap to make sure the circuit was safe before restarting the race. But halfway
through, some riders started saying they just wanted to restart the race
immediately. In the end, that's the decision that was made.”
The 21-year-old added that the chaos came not from conflict,
but communication. “There was no disagreement, just confusion. When you talk to
one person, then have to repeat the same thing to another, and suddenly
everything changes, you have to repeat and adapt again. With so many people
involved, it's always complicated to be on the same page and keep everyone well
informed.”
Now all eyes turn to the final stage, with Ayuso aiming to
keep the jersey against one of the most experienced and successful stage racers
of the last decade. Roglic, the 2023 Giro d’Italia and 2024 Vuelta a Espana
champion, is known for his ability to time attacks to perfection, and with
just one second separating the two, any bonus seconds could prove decisive.
Ayuso remains focused: “Now the goal is tomorrow, and I hope
to keep this jersey.”