Is Ayuso open to a potential Spanish alliance against Jumbo-Visma? "Yes, but other teams are rivals too"

The final week of the Vuelta a España is about to begin. The battle for the red jersey doesn't seem much of a battle anymore, as Jumbo-Visma occupies the top three positions. Juan Ayuso appears to be the biggest challenger to the killer bees. The Spanish asset from UAE Team Emirates currently stands in fourth place in the general classification, 2 minutes and 37 seconds behind the red jersey holder Sepp Kuss. However, Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard still seem within reach for Ayuso, who expressed his ambition for the rest of the Vuelta in an online press conference.

In the past few days, Ayuso has been on the offensive multiple times. However, his attempts to stop the yellow and black brigade were in vain. The Catalan rider tried on the slopes of the Tourmalet but saw his hopes shattered into thousands of pieces. "It was a bit frustrating; everywhere you looked, yellow guys were riding, attacking, staying on the wheel. It's tough to race like that, but we're doing our best," he said after conquering the mythical col.

Ayuso enters the final week of the Vuelta with a lot of confidence

During the online press conference, where IDLProCycling.com was also present, the home rider mentioned that he still feels very good. "But it will be very difficult to win the race now, especially if those three Jumbo-Visma guys keep riding so solidly. The rest of their team is also in great form, making it even tougher. It also means that it's not possible to set up attacks from far away. But anything can happen in the final week, so we need to maintain an optimistic vibe," he said, keeping his spirits high.

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Ayuso between Jumbo-Visma's trump cards Vingegaard and Roglic

Anyone who glances at the general classification can see that riders from fourth to seventh place have a Spanish flag next to their names. Could a possible Spanish alliance disrupt Jumbo-Visma's plans? Some of them seem open to the idea, as revealed in various interviews. Ayuso also doesn't appear opposed to that idea. "But on the other hand, the other teams are still our rivals," he points out, mentioning Bahrain Victorious (Mikel Landa) and Movistar (Enric Mas). If the opportunity arises to put pressure on Jumbo-Visma, we will seize it together. At the end of that stage, the other teams will still be our competitors," he says honestly.

"Most coup attempts will probably take place on the Angliru," says Ayuso, who hopes to beat Jumbo-Visma

What does Ayuso see as the biggest obstacles in his pursuit of a potential podium finish? "Jumbo-Visma," he answers briefly but firmly, causing a chuckle among the journalists. "They are simply the strongest team and seem to have no bad days. They race very solidly and at a very high level. It's quite easy for them to control the race. This year, the third week is really different from last year," he reflects on the 2022 edition when he finished third in the general classification. "This year, the toughest stages are yet to come, whereas last year, they were in the second week. It's only my second Grand Tour, so it's a bit hard to say. I don't necessarily think I get better in the final week, but I can maintain my high level. In any case, I'm entering the final week with a lot of confidence."

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According to his own account, Ayuso generally produces better numbers than last year. "Last year, during the second rest day, I was also in fourth place in the fight for the red jersey. But at that time, I already had a five-minute deficit, while now it's only two and a half minutes. I think that shows I've become a lot stronger over the past year."

Stage seventeen is mainly characterized by the finish atop the legendary Angliru climb. Many riders likely expect the battle for the overall classification to be decided there definitively. Ayuso agrees, mentioning that the stage suits him (and his team) best. "When you climb the Angliru, it doesn't really matter if you're riding in someone's slipstream. So, that's an advantage for us. The day after the Angliru stage, there is also a tough uphill finish," referring to the finish at La Cruz de Linares. "That climb might be even harder than the Angliru. But on that ascent, it does matter if you can stay in someone's slipstream. Most coup attempts will probably take place on the Angliru. Hopefully, we'll have good legs that day and can drop the Jumbo-Visma guys," he says ambitiously.

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