Juan Ayuso wasn’t invited to the pre-Tirreno-Adriatico huge names photograph alternative however rapidly confirmed his GC contender standing and intentions for the seven-day race, and stole a march on his main rival Jonas Vinggaard, by successful the opening time trial alongside the Lido di Camaiore seafront.
Ayuso beat a nonetheless convalescent Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) by one second and gained 22 seconds on the double Tour de France winner, 24 on Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) and much more on the opposite GC contender.
The 21-year-old Spaniard and UAE Staff Emirates took management of the race and regarded primed to battle with Vingegaard and Visma-Lease a Bike all week.
“We have simply executed the primary time trial, a whole lot of issues are gonna occur but it surely’s good to start out like this,” Ayuso mentioned, attempting to reign in his enthusiasm. “In fact with Vinggaard, even when I had one minute, you possibly can’t be safe and you’ll’t keep calm, there’s nonetheless a whole lot of racing to do. However I am right here to try to win the race.”
Within the absence of Tadej Pogačar and Adam Yates, Ayuso has complete management at UAE Staff Emirates. He’ll experience for and alongside Pogačar on the Tour de France, so Tirreno-Adriatico is his likelihood to shine.
“This race is essential as a result of I am going to have the ability to see the place my stage is in comparison with Vingegaard,” he mentioned with enthusiasm moderately than any concern.
“That is the primary actually vital race the place I’ve to go in opposition to the most effective riders on the planet. It is a good place to see the place I’m and know what to work on and the best way to maintain enhancing.”
Pogačar’s understudy on the Tour de France
A yr in the past, Ayuso came over the UAE Staff Emirates medical employees firstly of Tirreno-Adriatico as he labored on his rehabilitation following a fancy decrease leg tendonitis damage. He progressively recovered, made his 2023 debut on the Tour de Romandie after which completed fourth total on the Vuelta a España. Now could be assured he has stepped up one other stage.
“We’re truly staying in the identical lodge however fortuitously I’m in a completely totally different state of affairs to final yr. This winter was excellent, with no inconvenience. I’ve had a really clear winter, and I hope I can keep it up like this,” he mentioned.
Ayuso’s precocious skills have ensured him a spot within the UAE Staff Emirates Tour de France squad for 2024. He’ll nonetheless be an understudy to Pogačar however might be able to step up if the Slovenian falters after additionally concentrating on the Giro d’Italia.
“The plan for my profession was additionally to experience the Vuelta twice, then the Giro after which the Tour. However I spoke to the group and wished to get to know the Tour. The group additionally thought it was a good suggestion, so that is the plan for 2024,” Ayuso defined.
“The Tour is the largest dream cyclists can have, and I believe I moved one step ahead final yr. I’m a bit nearer now to the fellows which can be on the high. With the winter and throughout the season earlier than the Tour, I hope I can climb one other huge step and be prepared.”
Each second will depend at Tirreno-Adriatico
First, Ayuso has to defend his lead on Ganna and Vingegaard as Tirreno-Adriatico heads south close to the Tuscant coast from Camiore to Follonica on Tuesday after which climbs into the Apennines to achieve the Adriatic.
“Main the race offers us accountability, however in fact, I desire the time benefit,” he made clear.
“I do not suppose we’re going must take accountability for the race as a result of there’s a whole lot of sprinters right here and all sprinters need to win stage 2. Maybe after stage 3, there’s going to return a time if the whole lot goes proper, then we’ll must take accountability, however I do not suppose there’s an issue. I believe it is a good signal.”
That would even imply sprinting for an intermediate time bonus in opposition to Ganna, Vingegaard and anybody else if the prospect comes.
“Intermediates on this race are going to be essential,” Ayuso identified after laughing in regards to the concept of sprinting to cease Ganna taking two seconds the race lead.
“We’ll must watch out, but when there is a chance of grabbing some seconds, and naturally we’ll strive too.”
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