"Not interested in a rider's previous behaviour" – Lidl-Trek boss hails Juan Ayuso as dream Tour de France leader
Cycling
Lidl-Trek boss Luca Guercilena believes Juan Ayuso will thrive in new colours next season, insisting the Spanish climber represents both a statement signing and the right cultural fit for a maturing super-team.
Speaking to Cycling News, Guercilena stressed that the decision to bring Ayuso on board — despite the high-profile nature of his exit from UAE Team Emirates - XRG — reflects Lidl-Trek’s belief in rider development and long-term ambition, rather than external noise. “I'm not that interested in a rider's previous behaviour but how they behave when they're with us.”
That stance underlines the team’s expectation that Ayuso will integrate quickly and reset after a turbulent end to his previous contract. The move marks a rare strategic shift for Lidl-Trek, who have typically prioritised gradual internal growth over big-ticket acquisitions, but Guercilena was unequivocal that the opportunity could not be missed. “It's not our style but it had to be done.”
A new GC pillar to close the gap
Ayuso arrives as Lidl-Trek’s first true, ready-made Grand Tour leader, signposting intent ahead of the 2026 Tour de France. The ambition is clear: to convert rising consistency into genuine yellow jersey contention against established giants.
“We were monitoring the market and so we were always ready if the chance came to sign a Grand Tour contender… When you're ambitious and an opportunity comes your way, you've got to step-up and sign certain riders.”
Guercilena acknowledged that adding a second GC captain alongside Mattias Skjelmose inevitably creates internal pressure, but views that as part of elite sport. “Adding a new team leader can create some stress… I'm sure my staff have the ability to do that again. We're excited about having signed Juan.”
The expectation is simple: Ayuso brings podium potential immediately.
Lidl backing raises ceiling for both men and women
This winter has also marked a major structural milestone, with Lidl becoming majority owner and the team switching to a German licence in 2026. Guercilena credits the supermarket’s commitment as transformative to the organisation’s future.
“Working with a global company like Lidl gives us something extra,” h says. “It makes us bigger, better and more successful and also gives us extra motivation, extra resources and opens a lot of doors to innovation.”
With investment comes expectation — both for stage-winning firepower and long-term stability. “We have to measure ourselves against UAE, Visma, FDJ-Suez and SD Worx… now Red Bull and probably Decathlon and others in the future.”
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Building for the next cycling era
Guercilena was keen to highlight that while heavy resources matter, rider quality remains the defining factor in elite success. “There's a lot of talk about performance but I'm convinced that it's the riders who still make the difference between winning and losing.”
Even in an era shaped by Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel, Lidl-Trek’s leader is convinced the next wave is coming — and wants his squad ready to lead it.
“We're currently in an era where Tadej Pogacar is clearly better than everyone else… But cycling is cyclical and new riders and new teams will emerge sooner or later,” says Guercilena. “We've got to make sure we have the riders who will lead the next wave of success… Fortunately, so do we.”
Lidl-Trek in action
The vision: Grand Tours first, Tour de France next
The target is no secret. “Our first goal is to win a Grand Tour, then we want to win the Tour too. The Tour is the big goal.”
With Ayuso, Skjelmose, Jonathan Milan and Mads Pedersen, the squad now has strength across all fronts. The upcoming winter will decide who rides where — and who gets Tour leadership. “The final decision will be a sporting and performance decision… It's ultimately my decision. It won't be easy.”
But whether it is Ayuso in yellow, Pedersen in green or Milan in full sprint flight, one thing is certain: “Thanks to Trek's vision and support in recent years and now Lidl's backing, we're confident about the future… Our time will come in the years ahead.”
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
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