"Not a single gesture of empathy. Not even a hug" - UAE under fire for cold reaction to Juan Ayuso's Giro d'Italia abandon
CyclingFriday, 30 May 2025 at 10:15
Stage 18 of the 2025 Giro d’Italia got off to a rough start for Juan Ayuso. The Spanish rider showed the press his swollen eye, the result of a wasp sting he suffered the day before. Despite having no vision in that eye, he decided to get on the bike and try to support UAE Team Emirates - XRG, which has just four stages left to defend Isaac del Toro’s pink jersey.
But no matter how hard he tried, it was clear from the very first kilometres that Ayuso was in bad shape. When the first climb of the day, the ascent to Parlasco, arrived, Ayuso called over the UAE Team Emirates - XRG car — things were clearly not going well.
Despite that, Juan attempted to push on, but just two kilometres later, after showing visible signs of weakness in his pedalling, he made the decision to abandon the Giro. It was what happened next that sparked controversy. As he stepped off the bike, there was no visible sign of consolation or empathy from the UAE team, which led to harsh criticism from former rider and current Eurosport commentator Juan Antonio Flecha.
Flecha didn’t hold back in his assessment of the Emirati team: “A rider steps off the bike just two days before the end of the race, while you're defending the lead, and there’s not a single gesture of empathy. Not even a hug,” Flecha remarked.
Ayuso's swollen face at the startline of stage 18
Even if some of Ayuso’s decisions during the race may not have pleased the UAE team, Flecha emphasized that it’s no excuse for how he was treated: “Ayuso may not have shown his best form, but the team director in the car seemed more concerned with other things — getting water or dealing with something else — when the priority should’ve been supporting a young and important rider who’s just dropped out. Juan had his problems and couldn’t overcome them — fine. But management also needs to be emotionally present for the rider, and in this case, they weren’t. It wasn’t a good look,” Flecha concluded.
Unfortunately, @juann_ayuso has been forced to leave the #GirodItalia on stage 18 🇮🇹
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) May 29, 2025
The stage 7 winner tried to battle on through knee pain and a bee sting, but despite his best efforts, it is time for Juan to rest up and recover for his next goals.
Feel better soon, Juan 🙏… pic.twitter.com/HS2XwzOWtj
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- He'd won the Giro after all. That should put him as the strongest rider by itself. His rivals couldn't match him on the Finestre. Superior team tactics, but also superior legs by no means. He didn't even miss a doping test. Believe it or notBM06-06-2025
- Solid worker this guy 💪
leedorney06-06-2025 - One of the amazing things about cycling is how many races are happening at the same time. Stage, GC, and (as is clear here) job. It’s what makes the sport so interesting. On screen maybe not much is happening, but and yet so much is happening.RidesHills06-06-2025
- In contract year, i would say that if team duties permit, you are allowed to market yourself.abstractengineer06-06-2025
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- That is why talents shouldn't sign long term contracts of 5+ years. It leaves them vulnerable to team's decisionsabstractengineer06-06-2025
- OMG you've never been in a sprint if you get touched a little and stop sprinting ! Stay back on the peleton then if you can't take a lil' touch !frieders306-06-2025
- I guess that I'll need to find another sport to follow then.
santiagobenites05-06-2025 - Agreed, this sprint s is not woethy of a religation penalty! This should be re examied ou tof fairness.sam05-06-2025
- no brilliance from Yates or Visma?? you don't win Grand Tour without being strong rider. He stayed podium thru mtns without teammates Toro had full team of super climbers.Brilliant WVA and Yates, both monumental, inspiration comebacks, crushing the ride (all-time record time and he's not strong?). We all know Toro and Carapaz failed, but they didn't trust their legs; you might win by a few seconds if the others look at each other but not 5min.ccpivo05-06-2025
A pat on the back would be easier than a cake mid race.
While I am not a huge Ayuso fan I do have some empathy for the crushing disappointment the guy must be feeling. Has an amazing spring. Builds towards main goal of season. Performs well but is eclipsed by younger team mate. Suffers a massive crack. Trys to soldier on. Ends up abandoning race with a whimper
They were probably too preoccupied with the task at hand. If I'm busy, I may forget to extend courtesy due to negligence. The commentator is probably a bit too sensationalized. I'm sure someone will comfort him once things settle down. Yes, a pat is free and nice.
What’s more, it’s just bad long-term team policy (they’re stuck with him a few more years) as it’s unlikely to motivate him to give more to the team or others or change him for their idea of better.
Don't forget that Ayuso ALSO refused to admit that he was seriously injured, compromised IdT by insisting on full team support even while his legs went Adios and then refused to turn a single pedal stroke in support of his teammates...
Ayuso did ALL of those things in this Giro as well...