“I could blow up... or Seixas, Del Toro, or whoever” - Ayuso sounds Tour de France warning ahead of Alps final showdown
Cycling
Juan Ayuso tackles stage 18 of the Tour de France 2026 convinced that the high mountains can still flip the general classification. The Spanish rider said that both he and Mattias Skjelmose are in a position where they must take risks to try to move up, though he knows legs will decide the outcome.
“Both Skjelmose and I are in a spot where we can’t really drop much further back, and if it happens, well, it wouldn’t be a disaster. We have to try to push forward, but your legs have to back you up for that too,” he explained.
Ayuso believes today’s stage could offer chances if the race fractures at key moments. In his view, the remaining Alpine Alps stages will be shaped by accumulated fatigue and could open significant gaps among the favourites.
“Let’s see what situations come up and whether we can make the most of them. I think the next stages will be decided by attrition, and there could be some big blow-ups — I include myself in that, I could crack and lose a lot of time, but Seixas, Del Toro or whoever could lose time too. We need to be there and seize any opportunity,” he said.
The Spaniard was also asked about the controversy surrounding anti-doping controls carried out during the night on some riders. Although he acknowledged he has not experienced that himself, he understands the frustration it can cause in the middle of the Tour.
Juan Ayuso at the 2026 Tour de France
Fight against doping and controls at the Tour
“It’s a pretty complicated issue. I haven’t had to do a test at 2:00 or 5:00. If they did it to me at that time, I’d feel frustrated, as I think anyone would. We’re in a Tour where we measure everything down to the millimetre, and if they don’t let you sleep before a super hard stage, it throws you off,” he said.
At the same time, Ayuso made it clear he supports the fight against doping and recalled that he himself was tested on the eve of a rest day, albeit at a time he considers more reasonable.
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“I’m the first to want a clean, good sport. On the rest day they came at 22:30. It’s a bit uncomfortable because you want to be getting into bed and so on, but I think those times are more understandable. Anyway, we’ll have to comply — it is what it is — so there’s not much more you can do,” he concluded.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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