Juan Ayuso won’t journey the Vuelta a España, with Adam Yates and João Almeida setting out from Lisbon on Saturday because the confirmed leaders of a strong UAE Team Emirates.
Talented Mexican Isaac del Toro will make his Grand Tour debut, whereas Jay Vine and Brandon McNulty additionally characteristic within the sturdy group of eight riders.
As had beforehand been introduced, Tadej Pogačar won’t line out on the Vuelta. The winner of the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France is predicted to return to motion on the Grand Prix de Québec in September forward of his tilt on the World Championships in Zurich.
Ayuso, who positioned third within the race on his debut two years in the past, had hoped to journey the Vuelta after he deserted the Tour with COVID-19, although UAE Team Emirates supervisor Mauro Gianetti had all the time indicated that the Spaniard wouldn’t characteristic within the line-up for the ultimate Grand Tour of the season and was all the time described as a reserve by the group.
Vuelta director Javier Guillén went so far as to make a public name for UAE to incorporate Ayuso of their squad, nevertheless it was all to no avail. After using the highway race on the Paris 2024 Olympics, Ayuso ia now enhjoying a break and his subsequent outing is more likely to be in Canada subsequent month.
“After the Tour completed, my first thought was, naturally, for the Vuelta. Obviously, it is a race that may be very near my coronary heart and I’ve particular reminiscences from there,” Ayuso advised AS.
“Honestly, within the following weeks for the reason that Tour, I by no means acquired again to my stage. Seeing how I felt in coaching, the group and I talked and determined it was higher to concentrate on the unique plan which was to go to the Olympics after which race in Canada in September. It was one thing mutual and in our greatest curiosity not just for this yr, but in addition for the long run.”
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Ayuso’s Tour abandon and his obvious tensions with Almeida on the Col du Galibier stage had led to stories that the 21-year-old would possibly depart UAE earlier than the top of his contract, which expires in 2028.
UAE Team Emirates sports activities supervisor Matxin Joxean Fernandez insisted, nevertheless, that Ayuso was firmly a part of his group’s plans going ahead.
“Juan is an asset for us, and we did not wish to power him when he’s not at 100%. We additionally wish to protect him for the long run,” Matxin advised AS.
Ayuso was UAE’s best-placed rider on the previous two editions of the Vuelta, making historical past in 2022 when he completed on the rostrum as a youngster after which taking fourth general final yr.
Almeida and Yates, who positioned fourth and sixth general at this yr’s Tour, will lead UAE on the Vuelta. The pair already dovetailed neatly on the Tour de Suisse in June, the place Yates claimed general victory forward of his teammate in a race the place they claimed two phases apiece.
“Myself and João had partnership going at Suisse and I believe if we’re each in high form or both of us is in competition we’ll be able to make one of the best of it,” Yates mentioned.
“The group we now have right here is high quality and I believe and hope we’ll be combating for large outcomes over the subsequent weeks.”
Almeida would be the star attraction this weekend when the Vuelta begins from his native Portugal for the primary time since 1997.
“Having the help from residence crowds and my household and mates can be particular and possibly a as soon as in a lifetime alternative,” mentioned Almeida.
The line-up is accomplished by Del Toro, McNulty, Vine, Filippo Baroncini, Marc Soler and Pavel Sivakov.
Del Toro has been one of many season’s most spectacular neo-professionals and the Mexican rode strongly at Itzulia Basque Country and once more on the Tour de Suisse.
McNulty is using his first Grand Tour of the season having targeted squarely on the Paris 2024 Olympics earlier in the summertime, whereas Vine is included after an injury-blighted season.
The Australian suffered a damaged vertebrae within the mass crash at Itzulia Basque Country, however he returned to competitors on the Vuelta a Burgos final week and received the person time trial.
“All spherical it’s an thrilling group with aspirations of attaining massive issues,” Matxin mentioned of a squad that may emulate Visma-Lease a Bike in 2023 by attaining a clear sweep of Grand Tours.
The Vuelta will get beneath approach in Lisbon on Saturday with a 12km particular person time trial and it concludes in Madrid on September 8.
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