“We could have taken the victory with Skjelmose”: Juan Ayuso encouraged despite Lidl-Trek's near miss in Tour opener

Jonas Vingegaard became the first yellow jersey of the 2026 Tour de France after Team Visma | Lease a Bike won the opening team time trial in Barcelona. Visma finished 7.33 seconds ahead of Netcompany INEOS, while UAE Team Emirates–XRG placed third, 11.28 seconds behind after Tadej Pogacar rode the final metres alone. Lidl-Trek finished fourth at 15.27 seconds, despite losing Mattias Skjelmose to an early puncture. As a result, Juan Ayuso moved into fourth place overall, just 16 seconds behind Vingegaard. He is also the leader of the youth classification, 10 seconds ahead of Isaac del Toro.

Ayuso believed Lidl-Trek had the pace to challenge for victory before Skjelmose's early mechanical setback disrupted the team's plan.

"We rode a great time trial thanks to Mads and Vacek, who were in another league today. We were unlucky because I think we could have taken the victory with Skjelmose," he said after the finish.

The Spaniard explained that he had been scheduled to be the final rider across the finish line on the uphill run to Montjuïc, a strategy that remained unchanged despite the puncture.

"It was planned that I would be the last rider. We lost time not only in the final relay but also on the flat, but it is what it is and we have to keep going."

Ayuso singled out Mads Pedersen and Mathias Vacek for their outstanding performances during the team time trial, crediting the pair for driving Lidl-Trek's strong result.

"Suffering behind Vacek. The level that he and Mads Pedersen have is incredible. I just did my part, and we'll keep going."

Although Lidl-Trek narrowly missed out on the stage victory, Ayuso emerged from the opening day well positioned in the general classification, reinforcing the team's credentials as a contender for the yellow jersey over the next three weeks.