Juan Ayuso on 2023: - "La Vuelta will be my main objective"

UAE Team Emirates' Juan Ayuso burst onto the scene at the 2022 Vuelta a Espana when the then 19-year-old finished 3rd overall. Next year Ayuso is looking to go one step better "everything will be focused on La Vuelta.”

A Grand Tour podium finish at such a young age was better than even Ayuso expected of himself. Speaking to AS, the Spaniard admitted such success at his first 3-week race was a surprise. "I did not imagine living a season like this, much less being on the podium in La Vuelta," Ayuso said. "At the beginning of the year it was not in our plans or run it."

Casting an eye towards next year's race, Ayuso expressed his desire to continue his Vuelta success. "La Vuelta will be my main objective for 2023. Now we have a concentration that starts on December 10." Ayuso said. " “Having made the podium in a big one is what it is, but it is better to have that pressure of trying to repeat a result than aspire to something that you have not achieved."

His Vuelta success was not without sacrifice though. After initially planning to ride at the World Championships in Wollongong, Ayuso instead chose to withdraw. “I didn't go because I was exhausted." he admitted. "La Vuelta knocked me out, especially mentally. I needed to stop thinking about the bike and disconnect."