Neither João Almeida nor Juan Ayuso has had the ideal preparation for this year’s Vuelta a España, but both are determined to set the record straight this August.
In the absence of Tadej Pogačar, the Spaniard and Portuguese racers are the two main leaders for UAE Team Emirates-XRG in the Spanish Grand Tour. The last time they raced together in the Vuelta in 2022, Ayuso finished third and Almeida claimed fourth.
For both riders, in any case, they told reporters, the absence of Pogačar automatically renders the only man to beat the Slovenian in the 2022 and 2023 Tours de France the top contender for victory in Madrid. Even so, Almeida pointed out, a joint leadership can definitely have its advantages in a GC battle.
“This is the first time I haven’t specifically prepared for a Grand Tour, and the first time I’m starting two in one year,” Ayuso said. “So it’s been a strange build-up. I need to see how I am doing in the race, then we’ll see. If I’m not great, I’ll help João, assuming he’s doing well.”
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