When Juan Ayuso is asked about the year as it enters its final stretch, he can't hide a certain enthusiasm:
"How would you define 2021? Incredible, tremendous.
If you told me at the beginning of the year that I would win the Giro d'Italia U23, that I would win a medal at the Europeans and be on the podium in a pro race, I would have been more than happy."
Dreams do come true and Juan Ayuso is growing at a good pace.
He does so under the protection of one of the best teams in the world, UAE Team Emirates.He is full of illusion, but also enduring a good dose of looks at what he is doing, but with the certainty that his steps are the right ones.
It's true that success generates expectation," he continues. I may think that what I've done so far has been a success, but you have to put it in perspective. Racing in the pros is another story, nothing to do with junior or U23, what I have to face now is different and you have to be realistic.”.
Asked if he feels the pressure he dodges it well: "I don't feel the pressureIn fact, I'm the first one to demand it. I work hard to achieve great things, but if the work is good and things don't work out, there's little else I can do but wait for better times. Here we are a very good group of people who make things easier for me".
Many good experiences
See Juan Ayuso that cycling is not something linear and he experienced it in person when, being favorite for the Tour de l'Avenir, a fall ruined the plan: "Of course I was disappointed with that situation, but all in all it has been a great season, because even with those problems, learning is powerful and it's all part of the training process".
These weeks he has enjoyed a well-deserved rest, but his mind is already full of illusions for next year: "I'm looking forward to next year.UAE Team Emitares has given me the opportunity to be a professional. the second half of the season and it's been nice".
Juan Ayuso's future?
"We'll see, I want to keep progressing as a rider" he completes.
UAE Team Emirates' Juan Ayuso
His signing with UAE Team Emirates has been "very motivating since the first competition, I've been getting to know my teammates and the welcome has been excellent.. I've been able to see myself in different racing situations and continue learning".
For what is to come, he assures that "of course I have a big return on my radar, I don't know if it will be next year, or in two years, it depends. We can't forget that making the jump to the pros is already a big step.Next year will be the first full year at this level, which is another step in my profession. There are certain races that attract me, also a grand tour, but we'll see what happens. If it can't be in 2022, it will be later, when my time comes."
So far he's already felt the jump that comes with a WorldTour peloton.The distances are longer and the level is very high, especially the final hour of the race, which can be very intense," he says.
"In U23 you compete against the best riders of your generation, In the World Tour you race against the best of several generations.. But I feel good here, I like it," he adds.
At UAE Team Emirates, Juan Ayuso has known GobikI knew the brand but I had never tried it, because all the teams I had ridden for had other brands. The truth is that I am very happy, the leap in quality from the clothes I wore these last years to the one I have now is incomparable. You feel that it is of very good quality and comfortable, even after several hours on the bike".
Proud of the path he has followed
Even though we now see him as a lanky, optimized cyclist, Juan Ayuso didn't start out on the bikeHe always played soccer and when I moved to Jávea, in his soccer club, I met Mateoone of my best friends nowadays, who combined soccer with cycling, he told me to go and try with him and from that day on, I fell in love with the bike and I didn't want to give it up.
"Although nobody has given me anything for free and I have had to work for everything, I feel very lucky for everything. I've never had a big setback like a tough injury and even though there have been bad moments, I believe that luck has been with me along the way."concludes this runner who celebrated his 19th birthday not even two months ago.
