Juan Ayuso has recently turned 20 years of age, but is already heading into his third season as a pro rider and with very big ambitions. After making history at the Vuelta a Espana just over a month ago, he's looking towards his home Grand Tour once again.
“I want to try in the Vuelta again. In 2024 I will change but next year I want to focus on the Vuelta as my biggest objective," Ayuso told El País. “This year I finished third, why not dream of being able to win it? After finishing third, you can only think about trying to win.”
Ayuso led UAE Team Emirates alongside João Almeida at the Vuelta, and benefited from the late abandon of Primoz Roglic, and consistent performances in the mountains, to finish on the third spot. A hugely impressive result for a rider who was still 19 years old.
“From 10 days to 21 is double that number. But in the Vuelta I recovered very well and the third week was where I performed the best and where I was closest to Enric Mas and Evenepoel. That gives me a lot of confidence for next year. It’s the litmus test for Grand Tour racers," he continued.
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Ayuso is one of the most astounding promises in modern cycling, becoming the youngest ever podium finisher in the Vuelta a Espana and the youngest Grand Tour podium finisher in over 100 years. However, in the shadow of Tadej Pogacar - an equally promising rider when he was the same age, Ayuso is in an ideal scenario. “He’s the example to follow. I know I can do well in one-day races and that’s why next year I want to go to test myself at the Ardennes.”
“I’ll talk it over with the team bosses and we’ll combine my interests with the team’s to try and work out the best calendar. I’ll do more WorldTour races than this year, but of a similar type," he hinted. "Week-long stage races, Ardennes, a break, then the Vuelta," he mentioned, similarly to the calendar that Remco Evenepoel followed in 2022.
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Race routes are yet to be revealed for most main races, and so only during and after the off-season will details be adjusted. "I don’t know which week-long races will be among my objectives, but I’ll decide with the team. It’ll be a lot of racing until May, then I’ll rest up and start building for the Vuelta.”
However, the most surprising aspect of his declarations was the Spaniard admitting that he “feels old". "I was looking at the list of people turning pro and I could see some were born in 2003 or 2004 and I thought ‘Heck, I already am two years older than those guys. You’re some oldie," he joked.
However despite the humour, his statements further hint at the uprising of younger and younger riders within the top ranks. His own teammate Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel have both recently talked about their doubts regarding longevity, such as Ayuso's compatriot Alejandro Valverde reached throughout his career.
“Remco is two years older than me, too, but I’m just focused on myself. I’m at a point where rather than continuing to evolve, in 2023 I need to do something big for my palmares. Whoever it is I have to fight against - I’ll fight.”
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