“It’s incredible“. The words are from Juan Ayuso in person. However, they struggle to describe the feat achieved by the Spaniard on this Tour of Spain 2022. At only 19 years old, and for the very first Grand Tour of his career, the this is what should climb – barring an extra-sporting incident – on the podium of the Vuelta, under the nose and beard of riders who are much more referenced and experienced in this field, such as Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Qazaqstan Team) or the winner of the last Tour from Italy, Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe).
At the beginning of the year, I didn’t even think of running here
Tour of Spain
Evenepoel, Sacre Announcement
9 HOURS AGO
The wearer of the white jersey (but 2nd in the youth classification, dominated by Remco Evenepoel) did not however have the podium acquired before this final mountain stage, Lopez being only 48” away. But the Spaniard has never been put in difficulty on the various attacks of the Colombian. The latter was too fair to dislodge the Barcelonan from the podium, author of a breathtaking Vuelta which he himself did not expect. “At the beginning of the year, I didn’t even think of running herehe admitted at the end of the 20th stage. I came to this Vuelta to learn, it’s my first Grand Tour, at 19 years old. I wanted to see it day by day, without any particular expectation, except to give my best. So get on the podium…” Especially since the latter was able to count on a team at his service. “Marc Soler gave his life for me, Jan Polanc toohe said. And Almeida did an amazing job…”.
Mas and Movistar tried, Evenepoel resisted: the summary of the 20th stage
However, it was the Portuguese, 5th overall, who seemed to be the team leader at the start. Him the 4th in the Giro 2020 and 6th in 2021. He who had just won the last stage of the Tour de Burgos. But the transfer of power seemed inevitable throughout the three weeks, as Ayuso confirmed day after day to be among the best in the mountains. He had however warned that he was not bad at exercising. “I think I defend myself in the mountains“, he had declared for iariodeltriatlon.es, also comparing himself to Alejandro Valverde. The 42-year-old Murcian is about to retire, as whoever will be his successor explodes in the eyes of the general public after a successful year.
It breaks all precocity records
Fifth in the Tour of Catalonia in March and fourth in the Tour of Romandie a month later, Juan Aysuo already had more references than Remco Evenepoel in stage races before this Vuelta. We almost tended to forget him as the mystery surrounding the Belgian took precedence over the equally sensational race of the Spaniard. At 19, he became the youngest rider on the podium of a Grand Tour since… Henri Cornet in 1904! Younger than Evenepoel. Younger than Bernal. Younger even than his illustrious teammate, Tadej Pogacar, sorry!
Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) lords of the Vuelta 2022
Credit: Getty Images
All three have won Grand Tours and it is the destiny that now seems drawn for the Barcelonian. “I proved to myself that I could be a Grand Tour riderhe said after the arrival of the 20th stage for velonews. I proved to myself that I could win these races one day. It’s something very important“. Above all, it is an obligatory step – or almost – in the quest for a victory in a Grand Tour. Not everyone is Remco Evenepoel, to win the first Grand Tour he finishes.
I learned to suffer
Juan Ayuso is more patient. But he is no less ambitious, like his desire for a stage victory in the final on Saturday. “I felt good and wanted to win the stage, and we worked for that.explained the Spaniard. In the end, two riders stayed ahead and in the group, I was first. But it does not matter. I’m on the podium and I have no bad aftertaste of not having won today“. Ambitious, yes, but lucid.
Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) in the wheel of Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) during the 20th stage of the Vuelta 2022
Credit: Getty Images
The Barcelonan is not one to be choosy. He knows he will come back, that he will come back stronger. “I learned to sufferhe said. I’ve never had to endure as much mentally as a Grand Tour demands, and I think for next year that will make me a much better rider.“. Given the level displayed this season, it promises.
Tour of Spain
General classification: Evenepoel digs (a little), Rodriguez drops one place
09/08/2022 At 15:27
Tour of Spain
Evenepoel, French, show: The 5 questions we ask ourselves before the third week
09/05/2022 At 07:29