Juan Ayuso Takes Command in the Volta

Juan Ayuso's new version continues its triumphant path this season. After winning two one-day races like the Drome Classic and the Trofeo Laigueglia and dominating the Tirreno-Adriatico with authority, the young Spanish talent did not waste the first opportunity to claim a victory in the Volta. He achieved this at the finish in La Molina, a minor climb where his ambition and talent led him to win by a tyre's width against a specialist in such finishes like Primoz Roglic. At 22, Ayuso handles himself like a seasoned veteran and made it clear to his rivals the final victory aspirations with which he has arrived at the Catalan round.

After a problematic 2024, with a withdrawal from the Tour and missing out on the Vuelta, Ayuso has reset this winter and, following a specific plan designed by UAE, he is a much more ambitious and winning version than the promise that already won the Itzulia in 2024. As Matxin explained to this newspaper in an interview, "there are cases where the general approach does not work." "Being lean is sometimes good for being a climber, but to be complete sometimes requires something more, and in Juan's case, we had to draw on experience. In the early years, the focus was on high power wattage, but to be complete and win races, we understood that strengthening the force aspect was needed, and that is what has been perfected this year. Among all the coaches, the exact definition of what a rider like Ayuso needs has been nailed. That is, a much more 'ad hoc' work for him, because sometimes what works for the rest does not necessarily suit him. He has needed a much more personalized 'customization' in his training," he explained.

From this has emerged a new rider who does not shy away from anyone and is capable of holding on until the end without wasting energy on unproductive attacks on a climb like La Molina to go head-to-head in the sprint with Roglic. UAE took on a control role they did not expect and found a double reward, stage and leadership, which they will now try to maintain with two challenging stages ahead, such as today's in Montserrat and Saturday's in Queralt.

In that group of twenty units that arrived at La Molina, the good performance of Mikel Landa stands out, the only one capable of following the wheel of the two cyclists who fought hand-to-hand for victory. The Alavés was third and occupies the same place in the general classification. In a Volta without time trials along the way, Landa has a good opportunity to secure a podium in his first major commitment of the season. Today, the arrival at Montserrat will once again feature the same protagonists.