Juan Ayuso's chances of making the UAE Team Emirates lineup for the 2024 Vuelta a España are over. Although the door had opened again for the Spanish rider, with the UAE team's management seriously considering whether to give him the opportunity despite having left him out in the first instance, the dream is now over.
With "last minute changes", Scognamiglio's words speak of the fact that Ayuso will remain the first substitute. That is, if any of the 8 chosen riders fall out of the lineup announced by UAE, either due to injury or illness, the Spanish rider would come in. For example, Sepp Kuss had to withdraw from the Tour de France before the start after contracting Covid when he was already announced for the race.
What is confirmed is that UAE Team Emirates will bring an ambitious team to snatch overall victory from Visma - Lease a Bike. It will be Adam Yates, João Almeida and Isaac del Toro in charge of leading the UAE team's aspirations. Without a clear leader but with several cards to play throughout the three weeks of the race.
The fight will be fierce, because Team Visma | Lease a Bike will bring Wout van Aert and Cian Uijtdebroeks as main domestiques in the defense of the title of Sepp Kuss. In addition, rivals like Movistar Team with Enric Mas or Soudal - Quick-Step with Mikel Landa and Lidl-Trek with Tao Geoghegan Hart cannot be left aside.
Ayuso's Disappointment: A Bitter Pill to Swallow
The 21-year-old Spaniard's frustration is palpable. After a promising start to the season, his hopes of a leading role in the Vuelta a España have been dashed. Ayuso was eager to start in the Vuelta, which kicks off in Lisbon this year. Being seemingly passed over is a bitter pill to swallow for the super talent.
A Look Back: The Cracks in the Partnership
While both parties were extremely happy with their partnership initially, Ayuso's contract extension with UAE-Team Emirates in 2022 until 2028 seemed like a promising long-term commitment. However, the partnership appears to be headed for a contentious split. During the fourth stage of the Tour de France, Ayuso and teammate João Almeida had a conflict: the Portuguese rider was pushing hard at the front, while Ayuso was struggling at the back of the favorites' group. Almeida couldn’t tolerate this. With a wild hand gesture, he urged his young teammate to move to the front of the group.
This incident seems to be the first crack in what has now developed into a major fracture. Ayuso was unable to continue his Tour de France after testing positive for COVID-19 in the second week. However, according to Nils Politt, that withdrawal wasn’t necessarily required. The German rider mentioned in the podcast 'Schlag & Fertig' that a total of four UAE riders contracted COVID-19 during the Tour. According to him, Ayuso was the only one who let it affect him. "He immediately thought in his head that he could no longer perform and dropped out. The others didn’t let it influence them as much. They just kept going."
The Impact of Ayuso's Absence
Ayuso's absence from the Vuelta a Espana is a significant blow for the race, with race director Javier Guillén going on record to plead with UAE Team Emirates to include the young Spaniard in their lineup. He was expected to form a dangerous trio with Adam Yates and Almeida. However, the atmosphere within the team seems to have deteriorated so much that Almeida and Yates are now preferred over Ayuso.
Ayuso is reportedly looking for a new team where he can be the clear leader in the grand tours. That won’t be easy, according to the Italian media. Ayuso is under contract with Pogacar's team for several more years, and his buyout clause is said to be one hundred million euros...
Where Does Ayuso Go From Here?
With his Vuelta dreams seemingly shattered, Ayuso faces a difficult decision: stay with UAE Team Emirates and accept a reserve role, or seek a new team where he can be a leader. A move would be a gamble, given his contract and the hefty buyout clause. However, if he believes his future lies elsewhere, he may be willing to take the risk.
This situation underscores the complexities of professional cycling. Team dynamics, performance expectations, and contractual obligations can create tensions that can lead to unexpected outcomes. As for Juan Ayuso, his career path remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: he has the talent to succeed at the highest level, and he will be looking to make a strong comeback in the coming seasons.
