According to the latest reports, the speculation is over: Juan Ayuso will ride for Lidl–Trek from 2026. The 22-year-old Spaniard has reportedly finalised a deal with the American World Tour squad in the wake of the 2025 Vuelta a Espana, bringing an end to his spell at UAE Team Emirates - XRG.
The news was first reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Ciro Scognamiglio, one of the most reliable voices on the transfer market. According to his sources, the agreement is done and dusted, with only an official team announcement outstanding.
Ayuso is not expected to race again in UAE colours this season. His only confirmed appearance will be at the 2025 World Championships in Kigali, where the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation has already named him leader of a national squad directed by Alejandro Valverde. His participation at the European Championships remains uncertain.
A Strategic Move
Ayuso’s transfer looks like a natural step for a rider who has spent much of his early career navigating a packed roster of leaders at UAE. With Tadej Pogacar, Isaac Del Toro, João Almeida and Adam Yates all vying for Grand Tour leadership, opportunities were inevitably limited.
At Lidl–Trek, he will join a strong but less top-heavy line-up featuring Mads Pedersen, Jonathan Milan, Mattias Skjelmose, Mathias Vacek, Giulio Ciccone, Thibau Nys and the rising star Albert Philipsen. The move gives him a clearer path to target Grand Tour general classifications — something Lidl–Trek have lacked in recent years. At the 2025 Vuelta, Ciccone’s presence was not enough to anchor their GC ambitions; Ayuso could change that equation.
What’s Next?
The question now is whether Ayuso can step up as the marquee rider Lidl-Trek have been seeking. His pedigree suggests he can: podiums in stage races, maturity beyond his years, and the ability to match the very best in the mountains. But with the likes of Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard continuing to dominate, the challenge is formidable.
Still, the signing signals Lidl–Trek’s intent to compete at the very top of the sport, not just in classics and sprints but in the three-week races that define eras. For Ayuso, it is the chance to prove he belongs among cycling’s elite leaders — and to do so on his own terms.
Info @Gazzetta_it - Sources confirmed us that the move of Juan Ayuso to @LidlTrek from 2026 can be considered a deal done, only official confirmation missing @cycling_podcast
— Ciro Scognamiglio (@cirogazzetta) September 15, 2025
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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