Matxin on Tadej Pogacar and Juan Ayuso's relationship: "The people who say they cannot race together are far removed from reality"

UAE Team Emirates is the wealthiest team in the current pro peloton and with it comes the possibility of internal clashes due to the presence of so many leaders. However, between Tadej Pogacar and Juan Ayuso there are no misunderstandings according to team manager Joxean Matxin, who dismisses theories that have spread throughout social media.

“The people who say they cannot race together are far removed from reality. Juan will play an important role in the team again next year. It's an important cycling season for him," Maxtin said in an interview with Diario AS where it was also unveiled that he has signed a long-term contract with the team.

On stage 4 of the Tour de France, both Adam Yates and João Almeida expressed dissatisfaction over Juan Ayuso's conservative approach to the Col du Galibier when the team was pulling all-out to prepare an attack for Tadej Pogacar. The Spaniard abandoned the race the following week with Covid-19 and did not play much of a support role for the Slovenian, unlike all other team members.

Ever since, there's been almost a constant controversy surrounding the Spaniard, who was also not selected to the Vuelta a España. Over social media the criticism was often repeated and it went as far as having a few news outlets arguing that Ayuso (and also João Almeida, in one case) could never race with Pogacar again. These statements are completely unfounded according to Matxin, who has scouted both talents who actively win races for the Emirati team.

He has reaffirmed the team's commitment to Ayuso plenty times, and does so once again when asked about the youngster: “I have a blind faith in Juan. He will obviously appear at the start of a race once, with the goal of helping Tadej. But he will also have opportunities for himself. If we take Tadej to a race he can win, we will try to play Juan out in another race. As a team we want to get as many big wins as possible and then it's important to start with a leader everywhere," he concluded.