Juan Ayuso sees Tadej Pogacar as ultimate favourite for world title: "He is one step above everyone"

Spain is entering the World Championships men's elite road race with a team of outsiders, but realistically where everyone has a chance of playing a role. It's a strong collective that can put pressure on the main favourites and Juan Ayuso hopes to be part of this plan.

"We have talked a little bit about it. This Saturday we will have the opportunity to have a more concrete meeting to know how to move," the Spaniard said in an interview with Marca. "But it is clear that, with the team we have, we cannot wait until the end. We have to anticipate and be in the relevant breaks. And those breaks seem to start far from the finish line. It is going to be a very tough race. What happened at the Olympic Games serves as an example because we did not have legs and there is little else we can do, but I think that facing Sunday it is a different story."

The racing in Zurich this week has been chaotic and the men's under-23 event was a good example of how much the race can change and be affected by tactics. It's a rough circuit, the harder it's raced the better it should suit climbers such as Ayuso and his teammates Enric Mas, Mikel Landa, Pello Bilbao and more... But the UAE Team Emirates rider is aware that his Slovenian teammate is the ultimate favourite to win the race.

"In this case he is the top favorite. He is one step above everyone, but he has an important role because everyone will be racing against them and controlling a race like this is not easy," he says. "They will have to assume responsibility and there may be a chance that he will be left without teammates soon. We have to see the range of possibilities for the race to get out of control."

Spain's tactic is clear, use numbers to try and outsmart the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel. "If there is a fixed script it will be easier for him to win. His teammates have an important role, I think the race will open up soon and that is where our opportunities lie. He may have to go out in first place many times and that is when his strength will run out."

"I hope I or one of my teammates will be there, of course. And, statistically, Pogacar, Remco and Van der Poel are probably the most likely to be there, but we have to dream of being at the top," the Spaniard added. Recently, he took his first win in months at the Tour de Luxembourg and should have strong form heading into the World Championships.

After the worlds, he will still have the chance to chase more results: "[Giro dell'] Emilia, Tre Valli [Varesine] and [Il] Lombardia. There are three races left that are of a high level," he shared. "I want to finish in that monument. I've had that race planned for several years and for one reason or another, I haven't finished racing it. It will be my first monument and I'm really looking forward to it."