Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) didn’t repeat his 2024 victory over Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) within the opening Tirreno-Adriatico time trial alongside the Versilia seafront in Tuscany however the younger Spaniard nonetheless received his private battle together with his rival general contenders, gaining vital seconds on a swathe of big-name riders.
Ayuso was two seconds sooner than Ganna on the intermediate level after 5 kilometres of the 11.5km out-and-back course however then appeared to tie up and lose pace within the closing moments of the stage. He set a time of 12:40 however then Ganna blasted to the end to clock an unbeatable 12:17.
Ganan pulled on the blue chief’s jersey, whereas Ayuso made it into one of the best younger rider’s white jersey.
“No tenía piernas” – I did not have the legs [to win].” Ayuso defined.
“It’s a unique race, I felt worse this time. Last yr I felt actually good, this time I wasn’t nice. Ganna was on one other stage however for the GC battle, I used to be nonetheless the quickest, which is the primary aim.”
Ayuso’s closest GC rivals are, for now, Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) who was solely six seconds slower than the Spaniard. Canada’s Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) was eleven seconds slower and impressed once more after not too long ago profitable the current O Gran Camiño stage race.
One of Ayuso’s teammates, Isaac del Toro was solely 15 seconds slower and can be a worthwhile assist or Plan ‘B’ for UAE Team Emirates. Another choice for UAE may very well be Adam Yates, however he has apparently not too long ago been ailing and misplaced 40 seconds.
Some of the anticipated challengers misplaced considerably extra time. Eddie Dunbar (Jayco-AlUla) misplaced 21 seconds to Ayuso, Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) 32 seconds, Giulio Coccone (Lidl-Trek) and Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) misplaced 33, Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) 44, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-Easypost) 46 seconds and Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma-Lease a Bike) 50.
“There are two or three riders who’re fairly shut however the riders who’re actually good within the mountains are at over 30 seconds, which is kind of an enormous time hole,” Ayuso remarked.
This yr’s Tirreno-Adriatico consists of lengthy levels over 200km however fewer main climbs because it crosses from the Tyrrhenian coast to the Adriatic. Only stage 6 from Cartoceto to Frontignano (Ussita) is taken into account a full-blown mountain stage.
“We solely actually have one and half levels of climbing however the whole lot continues to be to play for,” Ayuso mentioned, realizing the subsequent six days can be testing in some ways.
“There’s nonetheless so much to race and it will be arduous with the lengthy levels and unhealthy climate.”
Ayuso seems extra motivated than ever. He is aware of that he has to show himself, within the sport and maybe inside UAE Team Emirates if he’s to be a contender on the Giro d’Italia, the place he’s anticipated to share staff management with Yates however the Briton is maybe barely forward within the Grand Tour hierarchy.
“This is a take a look at,” Ayuso instructed Cyclingnews firmly. “I’ve to point out to myself that I’m able to win these races. I’ve to show myself.”
