Dear Ayuso, I am writing to you after the Tour of Italy, because this gives me a way to broaden my perspective on the direction of cycling. I'm writing to you because Your situation is emblematic for me and I apologize to everyone if this time too I write in the first person.
Dear Ayuso, we were saying, you are 22 years old and a great desire to run and win: run to win, at least, because the two actions do not always coincideYour ambition is evident, we had noted it ever since you were tearing up the U23 races with the Colpack shirt and we're afraid this didn't make you very fond of itOtherwise, how can we explain that all the teammates spontaneously took sides at the Giro? on the side of Del Toro? In Siena everyone was happy for him, even those who had pedaled with you trying to gain on Roglic (the Spaniard in action on the final climb at the start).
Your contract with the UAE Team Emirates-XRG arrives until 2028 and It is also supposed to be quite fragrantOtherwise, how can we explain the buyout clause they've been talking about? It might be just barroom gossip, but the amount whispered in the huddles of journalists is mind-boggling: who would pay it?
Guardianship or prison?
You're protected, protected, guaranteed, maybe even imprisoned for another three and a half years. No one forced you to sign and Martinelli is right wondering if the team has thought about where to put you and if you are clear about where you would like to be.
When your contract expires, you will be 26 years old: the same age as Pogacar now. You will be richer, more mature, but perhaps you will not have in your portfolio all the experiences you would have elsewhereTadej's contract runs until 2030 and he has the first choice. Del Toro, who is 21, arrives until 2029. The contracts of Pablo Torres (19 years old) and Jan Christen (20 years old) arrive until 2030. Without looking at Almeida and Yates, we have done the names of the future talents of the team with whom, even with a step advantage, you will have to share the races.
Movistar option?
This year you started as captain for the Giro, but the prank of Del Toro in Siena he took away your leadership and serenity (If the leader falls, the teammates usually wait for him.) Anyone who has followed the race has noticed that something has changed since that day. And when you're forced to retire, unless there are unforeseen changes, It was immediately clear that this year there will be no more talk of Grand ToursAs for the next one, we will rightly wait for Pogacar's plans, then we'll see what happens to you.
It seems that the passage of Van Gils from Lotto to Red Bull has allowed a different interpretation of the rule: no longer a penalty, but compensation equal to his new salary multiplied by each of the remaining years. If Ayuso were to go to Movistar (which appears very interested) and Movistar paid him €2 million a year, the compensation for the UAE It would amount to 2 million for each of the three remaining years of the contract. So 6 million euros.. The UAE Emirates would he let him go, putting the risk of strengthening a rival on one side and the newfound domestic serenity on the other?
Just a captain
Cycling is a team sport, but there is only one captainParis Saint-Germain, who recently won the Champions League, have a very high density of stars, but in football they can play together and bring about team results. You, dear Ayuso, do you see yourself as the star who helps someone else win? On the last two occasions – the 2024 Tour and the 2025 Giro, while you were still in the race – the experiment was rather disappointing.
There are many races that count, but not very many. And if a team has 4-5 star-level captains, it is unlikely that each of them will be able to run, win, get revenge, try and try again.He won't have the season at his disposal. There are shifts, there are athletic programs, there are programs to fit in. So If Pogacar wants to try the Giro and the Tour again next year, or attempt a hat trick like many think he could have done last year, what would be left for you?
The distribution of talent
Perhaps at this point someone will be wondering what would change if to the richest teams were prevented from blocking such strong riders for such long periods. Would there be a chance of finding them as captains elsewhere? And this could have a knock-on effect on other teams., so that professional companies can once again become a place of incubation and experience for future leaders?
Of course, no one would ever accept to go down a level, but perhaps a 19 year old neo-professional wouldn't be so keen on the possibility of gaining experience by competing as a protagonist in the big races to a smaller team that would make him feel like the prince of the house. As was the case for Pellizzari last year at VF Group and Piganzoli at Team Polti.
So dear Ayuso, in greeting you and wishing you another wonderful season, We invite you and those who assist you to reflect on your attitude and the contract you have signed.And to ask yourself, regardless of the cause, if all that glitters is really gold.
