Rumour! Juan Ayuso reportedly looking to leave UAE as tension builds

According to reports from Het Laatste Nieuws (HLN), Juan Ayuso may be looking for a way out of UAE Team Emirates. Until recently, he had been represented by his father, but he has now hired experienced agent Giovanni Lombardi, an indication that a potential team change could be in the works.

HLN reports, “Juan Ayuso, who in recent years had been represented by his parents, has now hired manager Giovanni Lombardi. It draws attention, as Ayuso is under contract with Team UAE until the end of 2028 and, in principle, should not be on the market.

“However, according to our information, Ayuso would like to leave UAE because he feels blocked by Pogacar and, after last year's Tour, he is no longer included in Pogacar's calendar. So Ayuso misses this Tour and will not be able to race the Vuelta either. It is now up to Lombardi to find a solution."

At this stage, the situation remains speculative, and there is no official confirmation of Ayuso actively pursuing an exit. Still, the fact that a rider long surrounded by transfer rumors has now changed agents is noteworthy. Whether this move ultimately leads to a departure from UAE remains to be seen.

As for his current season, Ayuso's major goal was always the Giro d’Italia, and it was planned in advance that he would skip both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. His next scheduled appearance will be at the Tour of Poland, starting on August 4.

Following that, he is expected to compete in the Clásica de San Sebastián and the Prueba Villafranca.

Later in the year, Ayuso is set to lead the Spanish national team at both the World Championships in Kigali (time trial and road race) and the European Championships in the Alps. His participation in the late-season classics is still to be determined.

For now, talk of a departure from UAE remains in the realm of rumor. But as the Belgian outlet points out, HLN “never shoots with blanks.”