Juan Ayuso is not afraid of Mathieu van der Poel ahead of Amstel Gold Race: "I'm taking the form from the Basque Country with me"

Next Sunday, the cycling world's attention turns to the Amstel Gold Race, one of the most exciting classics on the calendar. Although Team UAE Emirates faces the absence of defending champion Tadej Pogacar, its lineup remains formidable, with a number of potential leaders ready to race against man-of-the-moment Mathieu van der Poel including Juan Ayuso.

With Juan Ayuso, Marc Hirschi, Brandon McNulty, João Almeida and Finn Fisher-Black - who has been thriving on hilly races recently - the team has plenty cards to try and open up the race early and try to overpower Mathieu van der Poel and Alpecin-Deceuninck with numbers. An ambitious goal but one that is possible, although the Dutch classic is the one that suits the World Champion the best out of the Ardennes tryptic. Ayuso comes off the back of a second place at Tirreno-Adriatico and a win at Itzulia Basque Country, perhaps in the form of his life currently as he aims for the Ardennes.

Speaking to the media, Ayuso expressed his optimism and determination to play an important role in the Amstel Gold Race. "I feel good. I'm taking the form from the Basque Country with me," he said. "I hope to be there at the end on Sunday. We'll play our cards. It's the first time I'll take part in these races in good shape and I'm especially motivated."

In addition to Ayuso, Team UAE Emirates has three other top riders who could pose a significant threat in the race: Marc Hirschi, João Almeida and Brandon McNulty. Hirschi, ninth in the 2022 edition, has experience in the Amstel Gold Race and is eager to excel once again. Almeida and McNulty, equally talented, add depth and versatility to the team as well as options to attack the race from earlier on.