Joxean Fernández Matxin: "For the big triumphs, Juan Ayuso must start with the small ones".
Many of the times we have spoken with theSport Manager of UAE Team Emirates, Joxean Fernandex MatxinThe speech has led to the variety of opportunities that the team wants to give to the whole team, as well as to be always, as far as possible, protagonists in all the races in which they take part.
In both maximsUAE Team Emirates is pushing itself to the limit and as Matxin tells us in Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España, the team has had a lot of interesting presence.
The first Giro de Gobik
NoTadejPogačar in contention, the team went to the Giro d'Italia with the idea of prolonging the brilliance it had had in the approach to the first grand tour of the year.
UAE Team Emirates was not in contention for the overall, but was ahead in many stages and with different riders. "The start ofJoe Dombrowski and the finish of a rider with the guarantees of Diego Ulissi. In between we have had some very interesting days"continues Matxinin reference to Alessandro Covi's second place finish. in the stage of thesterrato through Tuscany.
"We signed a stage victory withJoeWe started very well, to be honest, but it was a pity, because we are ambitious and we would have liked to have scored a few more wins.Diego Ulissi showed the cache he has. with that end of the race, he may never win a grand tour, but it was a shame.but he is one of the most valuable cyclists”.
The Vuelta of Majka and De la Cruz
In Spain in August, the race also had a strong team presence.On the day of Gredosa grueling trek toEl Barraco, Rafal Majka signed one of the most heroic stages in the of the campaign after a breakaway of more than 100 kilometers.
“We were aggressive and attacking. The stage ofRafal speaks of itsquality and experience in the big moments and David never stopped fighting to move up in the overall, but the whole team was also in front and close to victory, with Rui, with Gibbons and others".
Thinking about 2022
The truth is that the summer, apart from the ups and downs of the Vuelta, left some good news forUAE Team Emirates with a view to next year,with the announcement of some very strong signings to be able to surround their Slovenian pearl in the strongest races next year.
Matxin's relationship with Joao Almeida comes from long ago, since "I have known him since he was a youth -I've known him since he was a youth player," says the coach. I helped him sign him and he has played for several teams. Now he was released from his contract and we want him to join us.
He also landsGeorge Bennett, the New Zealand championavery solid and experienced rider who comes "with the same instructions that we gave to Majka, that is, with the mentality that he comes to add to the team and the achievement of victories for TadejPogačar”.
To the Portuguese and Oceanic cyclists, he is added.Marc Soler, one of the most important Spanish riders today.I know him perfectly,I know him perfectly, he's a cyclist with character and I love that.”.
Confidence in Juan Ayuso's future
The explosion ofJuan Ayuso has highlightedthe great need for Spanish cycling to find a new name on which to build.. The inertia of the times means that "we don't give the value it deserves to certain cyclists, and that's not right. How many countries have a rider like Enric Mas, capable of being ahead in the Tour and the Vuelta? I'm telling you, few.Everyone hopes to have a Spanish Roglic, but it's not that simple.”.
Despite this explanation, the pearl of UAE Team Emirates does not live with little pressure and looks on his back, that's the truth. Everyone is talking about Juan Ayuso.
"It's normal that people are watching the kid. When you generate what he has generated, people are watching you.I have a lot of confidence in him for the futureBut we can't forget that before the big triumphs come the small ones. That is to saystep by step"concludes the man responsible for UAE Team Emirates' results.
