"Juan can be with the best" - Joxean Matxin shows great deal of confidence in Juan Ayuso

How far can Juan Ayuso go in the Vuelta a Espana? Fight with the very best and possibly in the battle for the win according to team manager Joxean Matxin. UAE Team Emirates are prepared to fight for that goal.

"In terms of results and what they have accumulated in other competitions, Vingegaard, Roglic, Evenepoel... they are very high-level riders, but I honestly think that Juan has to be there with them," Matxin told AS. "What is the measure? In what order? Well, that and the road will put everyone in their place. We can generate a lot of expectations, but the confidence I have in Juan is absolute. You can't choose your rivals, and this Vuelta is the best example of this, but to be one of the best in the world, you have to fight against them, and they're all except Pogacar."

It is indeed one of the most illustrious Vuelta startlists in recent years, if we ignore the sprinter side. Climber-wise most are here and Ayuso will have a very big test. He comes into the final Grand Tour of the season with only 20 years of age but as a contender for a top result after finishing on the podium last year. Out of the GC contenders he is the only one who has focused his Grand Tour goals around the Vuelta solely, this may bring him an extra advantage on home roads.

"We are convinced of what he is capable of because of what he has shown, because of his numbers, because of the conditions, because of his attitude and, above all, because of his temper," Matxin argues. "I think sometimes when a rider is very good, but you don't give him that confidence, or even yourself…it's a big thing. You have to have your feet on the ground and have absolute respect, but here Juan can be with the best."

UAE come with a very strong team including João Almeida and also last year's breakthrough climber Jay Vine. The opening team time-trial proved to be one of losses for the UAE Team, however it is only one in 21 days, at least half of them with potential for creating gaps. Today's finale in Montjuic will already be an interesting challenge and test for everyone's climbing legs.

On Pogacar, Matxin provided an update: "Now he is calm, in a relaxation period, without thinking about competition. The idea is that he has one last peak of form in the final part of the season. I'm sure he'll be back. He has fond memories of when he was there [in 2019] and we have planned to do two big ones in the same year. This year was not the time, but in the future we did consider it."