"You guys were asking me the same question every day" - Why UAE released Ayuso statement before the end of the Vuelta
Cycling
Juan Ayuso is going to leave UAE Team Emirates - XRG at the end of the season and joining a new team, an agreement that had been prepared for a few weeks. However it was suddenly released mid-Vuelta a Espana, unlike what had been agreed on according to the Spaniard. Joxean Matxin has explained why that was the case.
Ayuso spoke to several news outlets this morning and did not have good words to say about the team. "I don't understand why UAE issued the statement without warning. They want to damage my image. I've suffered one disrespect after another from the team's management. It's been a dictatorship," were amongst the words the 22-year old fearlessly said.
Joxean Matxín, who has often been the main face defending Ayuso, had to speak for the team this morning when asked once more about the current contractual situation between the two. "They are situations and circumstances of life, you know how much I appreciate and how much I love Juan, I think it's something that has been talked about, organized and that we have decided together".
"They are situations and he is a cyclist of ours until the end of December, we will try to do our best together as we have always done and wish him the best for next year. I can't say anything but wish him the best because he is an exceptional cyclist."
Of the climate, which we imagine has changed after Ayuso's words saying that João Almeida had apologized for his comment after stage nine, he said it was good and did not rule out Juan's chances of winning stages:
"The climate is good, what happens obviously is that it is a surprise that surprises because it is not something that you go telling internally, you have to make an official statement and assume those moments, but yes yes, the team is exactly the same, we will run exactly the same and we will have the same determination as always. Juan is one of the best riders in the world and we will try at times to be with the team and at times, why not also look for an option for him".
He ended by giving the reason why they had decided to make public the departure of Juan Ayuso on the rest day of the Vuelta a España, something which had not been agreed on between the two, taking into consideration the objective or preserving the team's dynamic and the focus on performance instead of transfer talk from the media.
"You guys were asking me the same question every day and in the end, instead of hiding or not saying anything, it's better to say it and be transparent. I think it was something you were asking every day," he concluded.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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