«Ayuso will not do a great Giro this year», he told us Joxean Fernandez Matxin, the technician and sport director of the UAE Emirates, just a few weeks ago. Then the team of Mauro Gianetti has released the lineup that will take part in the upcoming Vuelta Espana And look who's there? Juan Ayuso.
So we heard from Matxin again. His speech did not reveal a contradiction, but a clear explanation. The Spanish coach clearly and passionately explained the reasons for this "u-turn."
Route change
«True, Ayuso was not supposed to have a great Giro this season – explains Matxin – This topic was the result of an evolution during the race. Juan finished fifth in his first WorldTour stage race (Catalunya, ed.) and fourth in his second (Romandie, ed.) and despite recovering from Covid, he showed no signs of weakness.
"Then he went really strong at the Dauphiné. If he hadn't had a terrible headache one day, which forced him to retire, he would have fought for the victory."
A few weeks have passed, the usual mid-season recovery, and upon his return Ayuso has immediately shown himself to be competitive again.
«In Ordizia, in the Prueba Villafranca, he found himself fighting on equal terms with people of the calibre of Simon yates. In Getxo he won. In this whole phase not only He showed good condition, but also some really important numbers and above all an excellent recovery. We evaluated all this and also the boy's desire.».
Objective Madrid
In light of all this, a decision had to be made. A few days ago Matxin himself wrote on his social media pages: “Talent cannot be stopped.” And if an expert on young people like him decides to make this decision and even reverse it, the motivation must be nothing short of valid.
«We therefore decided to anticipate what would have been 2023 – Matxin continues – We believe Juan is ready. He's taken the necessary steps, and now is the right time to let him debut.
«He then wanted to do it. He was very happy. We all talked about it together: Juan, the trainer Inigo San Millán, the staff, me… we decided that we could try without pressure, but at the same time with the concept of not stopping."
And this is a key point in all of this. Matxin has always been consistent when talking about his team's key players, and Ayuso in particular. Two of his quotes come to mind. "Ayuso is not a young player. Ayuso is a champion, and we've always treated him as such." And again: "You don't go to the races to rest or to train, especially a champion." It all comes back.
«This – continues Matxin – doesn't mean I have to do anything special, he'll start without any pressure anyway. The Vuelta is an important test for Auyso to see how his body reacts to the three weeks. What will his physiology be like? his recovery, how he will react to repeated efforts with world-class riders." And also to learn: managing pressure, dealing with the press, difficult moments, victories...
Media buffer
Matxin repeats several times that Ayuso shouldn't have done the Vuelta, that this wasn't the plan, but that it was the circumstances that made him think of changing the rules of the game.
«In his head and in ours – says Matxin – This idea started to take shape after the Dauphiné, because he really came out of it very well. But everything was deliberately kept quiet, also because you have to consider that in Spain there was already a certain media pressure. They wanted him at the Vuelta."
Think about it, Ayuso, a Spanish rider born in 2002, at the Vuelta. Highly anticipated, with the spotlight on those seeking the heir of Counter. The dualism with Carlos RodriguezThe “perfect bomb”.
«But I can also say that after Ordizia (July 25th, ed.), we also went to see some stagesBut we didn't want to say it. We thought we'd release the news by announcing the lineup and not with a specific statement for Juan, precisely to ease the pressure."
Almeida captain
With Matxin we talk about Ayuso, but also about the team. UAE Emirates at the Vuelta he is fielding a great team, even without Pogacar. Joao almeida part with the leader's ranks, But knowing Ayuso's competitive spirit and strength, Juan will fight like a champion as long as he can. It's part of his DNA. And as Matxin himself wrote: you can't stop talent.
«We have a very good team – concludes Matxin – Almeida is clearly the leader. Soler He knows the Vuelta well and I am convinced that he will be able to achieve great numbers, as well as McNulty. Then there's Juan, of course. And there are support riders like Polish e Olive tree. Not to mention that we have molano as a trailblazer of Ackermann (to be seen after the fall at the European Championship, ed.). It's a balanced team."
"Joao is improving in condition. He won in Burgos, against big names, he has gained confidence and above all he's finding his race pace again, which is what he needed after the Tour of Italy».
