"We take into account the health of the cyclist" - Matxin defends UAE's decision to keep Juan Ayuso in Vuelta a Espana

Saturday, 03 September 2022 at 08:30

Juan Ayuso has tested positive for Covid-19, but has not abandoned the Vuelta a Espana. Controversy has emerged from other riders who were forced to abandon the race criticizing the decision, and the lack of clarity from the methods and exams carried out that allowed the 19-year old to stay in the race that other teams didn't have access to.

“First of all, we take into account the health of the cyclist, then the health of the peloton and finally the established rules," UAE's coach Joxean Matxin told reporters regarding the situation. "Our doctor is in contact with the race doctor and I am in contact with Javier Guillén, both have agreed to let Ayuso start today.”

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The team has affirmed that Ayuso had "a very low risk of infectivity" and was kept in the race where he currently sits in fifth place overall after 12 stages. His strong performances over this week indicate his feelings remain high, however other riders did not have the means to defend themselves and prove they would prove to be a low risk to the race - such as Manuel Peñalver of Burgos-BH, amongst the several who left the race without symptoms of Covid-19.

"If Ayuso had had the same red numbers as Laengen, Bennett or Almeida in the Giro, there would have been no discussion now," Matxin argued however. It is not known if the team will however continue carrying tests on the Spaniard and his safety to teammates and the rest of the peloton.