Juan Ayuso: “I came more to leave flashes of quality, but I am ambitious”

the spanish boy Juan Ayuso (UAE) made sure he came here Back to Spain more “leave good flashes of quality and gain confidence for the future” than “achieve results”, but, because he is “ambitious”, if he has the opportunity to “stay ahead as much as possible ” he will ” try ” .

However, in a press conference offered this Monday on the day of rest in Alicantethe cyclist revealed that he didn’t want to set “a goal” that he could “make the podium or win” because if he didn’t achieve it he could “think of himself as a failure”, which he considered unfair.

“I don’t even think about winning, I go every day, I still have a long way to go and I don’t want to think anymore. More than good results, I came to leave glimpses of quality. ambitious and if I can stay at the front as long as possible Maybe I’ll try, but I don’t want to set a goal because if I don’t achieve it it seems like a failure and I don’t think that’s the case”, said the cyclist who lives in Jávea, who is now close to family and friends that person provides “extra motivation”.

“Being from close by, there are people who love me even more than usual and it’s an honor”, he thanked the fans for the support he received throughout the race, where finishing on the podium was “a dream” to have. “Being on the podium of the Vuelta is a dream and five years ago it was unthinkable but if I explode the world will not end and many opportunities will come,” he said.

Already facing this Tuesday’s important time trial of 30.9 km of completely flat between Elche and Alicante, Ayuso assured that he has not “made a certain preparation” and believes that he should also discover himself in the time trial like this, where he has barely finished two in his short career.

“I haven’t done a specific preparation for tomorrow. Tomorrow I have to discover myself more because I have only done two time trials like this, the one for the Dauphine and the one for the Spanish Championship. And I hope to have the sensations of the Dauphine and make a good time and continue in the general fight”, said the fifth classified of the Vuelta 2022, 2.36 behind the leader Remco Evenepoel.

One place and three seconds ahead is Ayuso with his generation partner, although almost two years older, Carlos Rodríguez Cano, the other young Spaniard who is exciting in this Vuelta and who, after continuing to face in “from the cadets”, he united ” rivalry, respect and friendship”.

“With Carlos there is rivalry, respect and friendship. We have been together since cadets and I am very happy for him. Seeing that a close person is achieving things is a source of pride,” the 19-year-old runner from UAE said about his rival and friend at Ineos.

Along with Ayuso, his still leader Joao Almeida appeared, seventh in the general classification at 4.32 behind Evenepoel even though he was not at his best. “I go every day, but sometimes I’m not in my best form,” confessed the Portuguese runner, insisting that he and Ayuso were trying to narrow down their options.

“Everyone tries to take advantage of their opportunity and we respect each other,” summed up the UAE’s bicephaly.

“My form is a little weak, due to some difficulties in training, but I did not throw the sand in my eyes thinking that I will be fine here,” he said, remembering that, although he gave ” a good level” in the Vuelta a Burgos, he knew the Vuelta would be more difficult.

For Almeida, Evenepoel is “almost unparalleled.” “Only Pogacar can follow him”, considered the Portuguese. “Every time he put a direct no one followed him”, Ayuso delved into the same opinion, although also with the doubt of how everyone will respond in the two remaining weeks of the race.