Lidl-Trek reportedly in contact with Juan Ayuso over possible 2026 transfer
CyclingThursday, 21 August 2025 at 19:45
There has been talk for a long time about the possible departure of Juan Ayuso from UAE Team Emirates - XRG. Everything since the bad feeling with some teammates at the Tour de France 2024. Things escalated after his withdrawal from the last Giro d'Italia, although his inclusion in the team for the Vuelta a España had calmed things down. Now, however, hours before the Spanish Grand Tour starts in Turin, the rumor of his possible departure in the cycling market reappears.
Specifically, it was Ciro Scognamiglio, the specialist in 'mercato' of the Gazzetta dello Sport, who has assured that the departure of the Valencian at the end of the current season "is not impossible" and also gives the name of the squad to which he could leave (we already warned that it is not Movistar Team, which we imagine will not have the economic muscle for an operation of this magnitude even if the cyclist is definitely available on the market):
"An update on Juan Ayuso: sources told us that a transfer from UAE at the end of 2025 is "not impossible" despite his contract. And IF the transfer materializes, Lidl-Trek can be considered a very solid option for the Spaniard. More information on our website."
We'll see how this rumor of Ayuso's possible departure affects a UAE team that was burying arms between the Spanish cyclist and Joao Almeida just before both are the leaders of the UAE squad in the Vuelta a España. We'll see what Matxín and company have to say when they are asked again before such an important race (for the umpteenth time in recent months) about their possible exit.
Info @Gazzetta_it - An update about Juan Ayuso: sources told us that a move from Uae at the end of 2025 is "non impossible" despite his contract. And IF the move happens, Lidl-Trek can ben considered a very solid option for the spanish. More on our website
— Ciro Scognamiglio (@cirogazzetta) August 21, 2025
The keys to the possible transfer
In his article in the Gazzetta Ciro Scomiglio gives the keys to the possible transfer of Juan Ayuso to Lidl-Trek as of 2026:
- Changing teams before the end of the contract used to be a very rare thing in cycling, but it is happening more and more (recent cases: Primoz Roglic to Red Bull in 2023 and Remco Evenepoel to Red Bull despite his contract with Soudal - Quick-Step until 2026).
- Juan Ayuso has a contract with UAE until 2028, but it is not certain that he will remain until that date.
- Ayuso, 22, has great talent: he was 3rd in the Vuelta 2022 and 4th in 2023, won Tirreno-Adriatico 2025, but has not repeated that level in recent Grand Tours (he withdrew from the Tour 2024 and Giro 2025, where his teammate Del Toro excelled).
- In UAE, Ayuso appears to have limited space in company of stars such as Pogacar, Almeida and Del Toro.
- Officially, Ayuso is focusing on the Vuelta 2025 as co-leader with Joao Almeida, after Pogacar's absence.
- Several other teams could be interested in Ayuso; Ineos and Movistar do not seem to be immediate options.
- Lidl-Trek appears as the strongest option for Ayuso: the team has a great momentum (second in total victories of this season, with important wins in Amstel Gold Race, Giro and Tour).
- Lidl-Trek is looking for a leader for the grand tours and Ayuso fits that profile perfectly.
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