Juan Ayuso’s absence from the Vuelta, especially as the race is in the mountains, has caused some consternation. It seems increasingly likely that the young Spanish rider would have preferred to compete in his home race. This speculation stems from comments by Spanish national coach Pasqual Momparler, who claimed that Ayuso was in excellent shape during the Paris Olympics.
Previously, Ayuso had expressed his thoughts on withdrawing from the Tour. “After that, my first thought was the Vuelta. It is a race that is close to my heart and I have special memories of it,” he said AS“But to be honest, I couldn’t get back to my best form in the weeks after the tour, so we decided to stick to the original plan.”
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“The plan was to focus on the Olympics and then the races in Canada. This decision was mutual and in my best interest – not only for this year but also for the future,” explained Ayuso. “Personally, I am now focused on getting back to my peak level before the end of the season. It has been a tough year because after months of preparation, everything you have worked for can disappear in an instant. But I have to accept that and move on.”
National coach surprised by Ayuso’s comments: “He was in excellent form”
Spanish coach Momparler reacted to Ayuso’s comments in an interview with brandWhen asked if he regretted nominating Ayuso for the Olympics, Momparler reacted with surprise: “No, I don’t regret it at all because he was in excellent shape. I’m not sure who he told the opposite, but he assured me that everything was perfect,” said the coach.
These conflicting statements have caused confusion and potentially added another layer to the ongoing saga surrounding Ayuso. The young Spaniard is reportedly currently preparing for the World Championships, with upcoming races taking place in Canada.
