Juan Ayuso tackles Tour de France criticism and 'self-critical' mentality - "In 2025 I won't do the Tour"

Juan Ayuso has had less than an ideal season. Despite a strong start with a second place at Tirreno-Adriatico and victory at Itzulia Basque Country, he was unable to perform in his big goals of the season. He gives insight into the criticism he got this year and also Grand Tour plans for 2025 - which will not include the Tour de France.

"...In terms of improving, I think I've been very self-critical this year. I arrived at the Tour well and it's a shame that I couldn't perform," Ayuso said in words to Marca. At the Tour, when all eyes were on UAE Team Emirates, many criticized the Spaniard over his lack of work whilst Adam Yates and João Almeida worked for Tadej Pogacar to ultimately conquer the yellow jersey. Within the team, it didn't seem like the ideal situation, but the tension has since deescalated.

"People are what they are. Obviously leaving the Tour the way I did was complicated. It was due to external causes (he tested positive for Covid-19, ed.). What I can confirm, and I don't care much about people's opinions, is that I did everything I could to be in La Vuelta but I wasn't in a condition to compete. I was the first to tell the team, a week before, that I wouldn't."

Between the Tour and Vuelta all eyes were on the Spaniard and it was even rumoured that he could be leaving, in the midst of bad relations with the team. Joxean Matxin was incremental in assuring this was not the case. Ever since there has been a regathering and Ayuso began preparing for his final goals of the season: World Championships and Il Lombardia. For next year there is already some thinking on what he will do. He tells the Tour de France will not be in his schedule, and there will be a decision between the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España.

"... I'm waiting for the routes to be released. You never know what might come out. Maybe La Vuelta suits me better than the Giro or the other way around. In principle, in 2025 I won't do the Tour. But then, with the routes, plans can change," he adds. "Right now the most likely thing is that I'll do the Giro, but until I see everything I don't want to decide".

"I've talked a lot about it, but I want to wait to see the routes before deciding on one side or the other. Until the routes are released it's hard to know. I'd like to start the season a little later so that, whatever the objective is, the year doesn't feel long."