Adam Blythe dismisses Juan Ayuso's attempt to downplay GC ambitions at La Vuelta 2025 as 'a load of rubbish'

UAE Emirates-XRG's Juan Ayuso downplayed his general classification ambitions following a day to forget on Stage 6, falling almost seven minutes behind race favourite Jonas Vingegaard. However, speaking on The Breakaway, Adam Blythe was sceptical, suggesting his claims are "a load of rubbish". Matthew Stephens, meanwhile, suggested rumours about the Spaniard's future have been a distraction.

‘A load of rubbish’ – Blythe dismisses Ayuso’s attempts to downplay GC ambitions

Video credit: TNT Sports

Adam Blythe has dismissed Juan Ayuso’s attempts to downplay his general classification (GC) ambitions at La Vuelta as "a load of rubbish".

The Spaniard (UAE Emirates-XRG) conceded almost seven minutes to race favourite Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease a Bike) on Stage 6, effectively ending his hopes of competing for the red jersey. Yet Ayuso appeared unbothered when speaking to Spanish media.

"It’s been a bit like this all race – I’ve said it since day one, even before the start. My original plan wasn’t to go for the GC, but the team asked me to give it a go out of respect, so I tried," said Ayuso

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"But I haven’t been feeling good, and I’ve just gone with the flow."

Blythe was unconvinced. Speaking on The Breakaway, he said: "I think he said he wasn’t in for the GC, I think it’s a load of rubbish.

"Even if he’s not on 100% form, he’s still better than he was yesterday. Even on 80% or 90%, he still should have been in the 25 guys that are in front of him.

'Disaster' for Ayuso as he's dropped by peloton - 'Not in good shape'

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Obviously it was a very bad day, but he’s a GC rider and that’s what he is employed to do."

Ayuso was a late call-up for La Vuelta following the withdrawal of Tadej Pogacar (UAE). His early hopes looked promising after taking eight seconds back on Vingegaard with a strong time trial performance on Stage 5.

It continues to be a difficult season for the 22-year-old. He abandoned the Giro d’Italia on Stage 18 following an allergic reaction to a bee sting, having already seen his pink jersey ambitions derailed by a crash that required knee stitches.

"Ultimately, this year he has not performed in the Giro, he’s not performed here," Blythe continued.

"I don’t know if pressure is getting to him, that dual leadership with Isaac del Toro at the Giro, coming here with Joao Almeida in that dual leader role again. But he’s not coping with it well. Maybe a little bit mentally tired, I don’t know."

Ayuso outlines goal for rest of La Vuelta after day to forget on Stage 6

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ashleigh Wilmot pointed out that Ayuso appeared to remove his earpiece during Stage 6 and was unaware of team-mate Jay Vine’s stage victory.

"It’s almost like you pull it out when you’re not interested in what’s going on and if he’s not a leader within that race normally, you keep it in because you want to know what’s happening," Blythe added.

Matthew Stephens suggested rumours about Ayuso’s future could also be a distraction.

"There was not one team-mate dropped back to see if he was okay. There was quite an emphatic ‘no, he’s not going to be GC’."

Wilmot then raised the question of whether Ayuso could be "riding himself out of his contract," with reports in the Spanish press linking him to Movistar and Lidl-Trek.

"Although there’s nothing confirmed, he’s going to be aware of that and the team will be aware of it.

"It will take him off his focus ever so slightly. That sort of rumour going on in the background can’t be helpful."

Ayuso claimed a statement win on Stage 7 to fire back at his critics.

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Thoughts?