Struggling collaboration - Examining the downfall of Juan Ayuso and UAE Team Emirates-XRG's partnership and justifying his decision to depart.
Juan Ayuso, the young Spanish cyclist, has announced his departure from UAE Team Emirates, ending a contract that was set to run until 2028. The decision comes after a series of setbacks during the Giro d'Italia 2025 and the ongoing Vuelta, where Ayuso has been struggling to keep up with his teammates.
Ayuso's journey with UAE Team Emirates began in September 2022, during his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a Espana, where he finished fifth overall. However, his debut at the 2024 Tour de France was not as successful, and he came under fire for his teamwork or lack thereof.
The turning point came during the gravel stage 9 of the Giro d'Italia 2025, where Ayuso crashed, re-injuring a cut on his knee and losing significantly to his teammate, Isaac del Toro. This incident marked a change in the team's leadership, with del Toro stepping up as UAE's de facto leader.
Tension developed between Ayuso and teammate João Almeida as they tried, and failed, to work as co-leaders during the Giro d'Italia 2025. The competition for leadership is hard to come by at UAE Team Emirates-XRG, with Pogacar, Almeida, and del Toro all seen as deserving of the team's support.
Pogacar, the current owner of both the Tour de France and the title of the best rider in the world, presents a significant barrier for Ayuso to achieve his dream of one day winning the Tour de France and becoming the best rider in the world.
Despite his struggles in the General Classification, Ayuso managed to win solo from the breakaway during the Vuelta, blocking out the noise with his celebration. However, this was not enough to save his partnership with UAE Team Emirates, which terminated in September 2025 due to a "difference in vision" for his future.
Rumors of Ayuso's imminent departure from UAE Team Emirates began circulating during the Giro d'Italia 2025. Juan Ayuso will leave UAE Team Emirates-XRG at the end of 2025, but his new team for 2026 is not yet confirmed. Rumors link him to Lidl-Trek, Ineos Grenadiers, and Movistar, but it is uncertain if he will be the main leader on his new team, as this may depend on the team environment and dynamics.
Ayuso's departure from UAE Team Emirates marks the end of a promising but turbulent chapter in his career. However, he returned to his top form in the first three months of 2025, winning the Faun Drôme Classic, Trofeo Laigueglia, Tirreno-Adriatico, and narrowly losing out at the Volta a Catalunya to Primož Roglič.
As Ayuso looks forward to a new chapter in his career, fans and cycling enthusiasts eagerly await to see where he will land and what challenges he will overcome in the future.
In the midst of Ayuso's struggles, del Toro stepped up to the plate, showing UAE he was the man for the future during the Giro d'Italia 2025. Del Toro won over Pogačar's favor, positioning himself as a strong contender for the team's leadership in the coming years.
Ayuso's career was not without its setbacks. In 2024, he contracted COVID-19 during the Tour de France, forcing him to abandon. In the Giro d'Italia 2025, a bee sting forced him to abandon the race, marking his second Grand Tour DNF in a row.
Despite these challenges, Ayuso remains determined to achieve his dream of becoming the best rider in the world and winning the Tour de France. As he embarks on a new journey, fans and cycling enthusiasts will be watching closely to see how he navigates the ups and downs of professional cycling.
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