UAE Emirates XRG released a statement on Monday evening announcing that Juan Ayuso will leave the team after this season due to a "difference in vision." The news came as a surprise to Ayuso himself. This was evident from his remarks before the tenth stage of the Vuelta a España, in which he strongly criticized his own team.
"I don't understand why UAE issued this statement without warning me," said the 22-year-old Spaniard before the start, speaking to Quique Iglesias, a journalist at Cadena COPE. "They want to damage my image. I have been repeatedly treated disrespectfully by the management. It was a dictatorship."
According to Ayuso, UAE Emirates exploited the criticism from João Almeida. The Portuguese rider said after the ninth stage that he had received little support from his teammates. Ayuso dropped early on the final climb that day. "I have already spoken with João and he has apologized," said Ayuso, who claims he still gets along well with his teammates. "Despite what has been said, the relationship with Almeida is good, and he deserves all the support I can give him. Just like the rest of my teammates. I would have liked a good outcome with the team, but sometimes that’s not possible when everything is one-sided."
Ayuso had expected the split to be announced only after the Vuelta. He hadn’t seen Monday’s announcement coming at all. And he was unhappy with the content of the message, but the team didn’t care. "When I said I didn’t like what was in the press release, I was told that the first version was much worse, and that I should be grateful..."
Earlier report
On Monday evening, Ayuso had still spoken diplomatically about his departure from UAE Emirates. "I want to thank the team for all the support and opportunities they have given me," he said at the time. "I have grown enormously, both as a cyclist and as a person, and I will always be grateful for that. I’ve had many great years with the team and leave behind many friends and amazing professionals I will never forget."
"Yet, on a personal level, I feel that it’s time to find an environment that better aligns with who I am and my values – a place where I can continue to develop with full confidence and peace of mind. I feel now is the time to pursue new challenges and opportunities in a place that shares the same vision as I do. (...) I will do my utmost to finish the season with UAE Emirates in the best possible way, in all the races still ahead of us this year.”
Lidl-Trek?
It’s not yet known where Ayuso will continue his career. However, it is clear that Lidl-Trek is interested in signing the Spaniard, and according to the sports newspaper AS, the 22-year-old Grand Tour rider is about to sign with the American team. They reportedly see Ayuso, who is currently competing in the Vuelta a España, as the ideal leader for the Grand Tours.
