The test of the young Juan Ayuso in the Vuelta

He is only 20 years old, he will embark on his second great cycling tour in three weeks in Lap –both in the Spanish round– and in many pools, it appears as the main Spanish alternative on the final podium in Madrid on September 17. Ay Juan Ayusohead ofl UAE Team Emirateswho last year became the second youngest cyclist in history to make the podium in a major round at La Vuelta (he was 3rd after Enric Mas and Remco Evenepoelsecond and first respectively) and who will be 21 on the penultimate day of the race.

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He is one of the many ‘high-flying’ youngsters present at La Vuelta, who fortunately seems to have fully recovered from the pain he suffered at the beginning of the season in the Achilles tendon that conditioned his performance and his calendar in a that season. Juan made it clear from the beginning that the Vuelta was his ultimate goal. did not complete the Getxo circuit on July 30 and went to the appointment at La Vuelta with 19 days of competition in his legs (2,324 kilometers), where he had already achieved three of the four victories he valued as a professional, and two of them achieved in the time trial stages of romandie tour and of tour of switzerland, where he also achieved success on stage. Two victories against the clock already indicate the ability of an off-road runner who is not afraid of pressure.

On the day of the presentation of the teams, they asked him if he felt pressured by the fact that he had to bear a large part of the favoritism of the Spanish fans, who already idolized him after finishing 3rd last year and because of his way. of running. And he, true to his character, responded: “It is clear that there is a fantastic participation in the Vuelta, but I will risk it, for sure. It will be very difficult, but the challenge is there, both for me and for João (Almeida) –his man of reference in the UAE Team Emirates– and for this we arrived at La Vuelta”. He also made it clear that the injury he suffered at the beginning of the season is now forgotten and assured that “after a tough year mentally I hope to enjoy the race that last year was a dream come true. Being in podium gives you the opportunity to dream a little higher. Although with the participation this year there is more complexity, that’s what we run and train for”.

Knowing the level of the race and the rivals and some teams, Fix it He did not hide: “There are very strong teams and when we have to find unity the most important is now. By playing our tricks, we are stronger and we can do one of the two – referring to Almeida – after the rivals who may be stronger heads-up”.