"There will be favorites who will lose time" - Juan Ayuso before the gravel stage of the Giro

The Giro d'Italia 2025 faces a crucial stage this Sunday, the 'sterrato' of Siena. This 9th day of the race is one that the men in the general classification fear. Juan Ayuso has been talking about it all week, assuring that it is very complicated and dangerous.

Before the start, the UAE Team Emirates XRG leader was just 3 seconds behind Primoz Roglic, his main rival for the pink jersey, after cutting one more on the previous day's sprint in the peloton.

However, as he tells Cycling Pro Net, that may not matter, since the whole race can go down to the wire in this gravel stage: "Today it will be key to enter well positioned in the first sector," Ayuso begins by pointing out.

The sectors that most worry Juan Ayuso are the last two, where he insists on the idea of getting into the front so as not to lose any time: "Especially the last two sections are the most complicated. I think the race will be done there. Let's hope to be in front and pass it without a problem", adds the Spaniard.

Before concluding, the UAE rider explains that he sees this stage as an "all or nothing", where time will be lost or gained with respect to his rivals in the general classification:

"Today is a stage where you either lose or win. If we're in front there will be rivals in the general classification who will lose time for sure, that's why it's so important. Because that's the only way to make a difference," he explains.

Finally, he concludes his statements by answering the question of whether he has received any advice from Tadej Pogacar to win the stage: "I haven't spoken to him. For him it's easier than for the rest. So it's different for everyone. I will try to survive, and as I said get to the front so I don't lose any time."