"My big goal this year is the Giro d'Italia" - Juan Ayuso hoping Trofeo Laigueglia victory is only the start of his Italian success in 2025

Juan Ayuso has had a hot start to his 2025 season. In his three race days so far, the Spanish star of UAE Team Emirates - XRG has taken two victories, the latter of which came of Wednesday afternoon at Trofeo Laigueglia.

Having been the initiator of much of the exciting racing on the day, Ayuso entered the finale as part of a four-man lead group alongside Neilson Powless, Cristian Scaroni and Michael Storer. After having been forced to the front of the group, Ayuso opted to open his sprint early. As it turned out, this proved a masterstroke as despite the best efforts of his rivals, the 22-year-old managed to hold the front of the race all the way to the finish line in Laigueglia.

"I finally got the win I was missing," a beaming Ayuso reflected post-race, having previously finished on the podium at the Italian one day race on two separate occasions. "I had confidence in my sprint. Only I was afraid of guys coming from behind, then you never know. So I wanted a sprint with those four riders at the front."

It seems Italian soil is where a lot of Ayuso's racing is set to take place in 2025 too, so the UAE star is hopeful this victory can be the start of a joyful time in Italy over the coming months. "My big goal this year is the Giro d'Italia," he explains. "But I also like the Tirreno-Adriatico. Last year I finished second there, but this year I want to do better."