The Spanish Juan Ayusothird in the last edition, and the Portuguese Joao Almeida will manage to lead the UAE Emirates in the Tour of Spain that starts next Saturday in Barcelona and ends on September 17 in Madrid.
The Emirati formation will perform the double trick of Ayuso and Almeida, the former third in the 2022 Vuelta and the Portuguese third in this year’s Giro.
Both will share rank with the Spaniards Marc Solerthe Colombian Sebastián Molano, the brothers Ivo and Rui Oliveira, the Australian Jay Vine and the New Zealander Finn Fisher Black.
Juan Ayuso He arrives with fond memories of his debut in 2002 and high expectations.
“Last year’s Vuelta was something special, a race that I will always remember and it gave me a lot of confidence. We have worked together a lot in the last few months as a group and it has been very good. This year’s route has passed close to where I grew up or lived, so personally it will also make it very special”, said the cyclist from Jávea.
Ayuso predicts a tough competition with great rivals, like the Dane Jonas Vingegaardthe Belgian Remco Evenepoel and the slovenian Roglic is a cousin.
“It will be a difficult Vuelta, with some big rivals on the start list, but I think we are ready for the challenge. Going in like we did last year with two leaders worked to our advantage, so I think it’s a good strategy. We can’t wait for the races to start,” he explained.
For his part, Almeida He comes with a good feeling and is ready to aim for the maximum.
“The sensations are good: I feel stronger than last year at this time. I think Juan has also improved, so we are in a very good place. Last year at the Vuelta was already an absolute success for for us, we will aspire to the same or more. We have two teammates on the podium in the Tour, why not also in the Vuelta? It could be very nice,” he concluded.
Source: La Verdad
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