Football’s famous transfer deadline day circus may have packed up for another few months, but cycling is trying its best to fill the void in the meantime — Juan Ayuso giving an extraordinary pre-stage interview at the Vuelta a España today following last night’s surprise announcement that he would be leaving UAE Team Emirates at the end of the season.
Ayuso — one of the most promising GC talents to emerge in recent years and who, aged just 19, finished on the podium on Grand Tour debut at La Vuelta back in 2022 — is continuing the race despite UAE Team Emirates last night suddenly announcing that they would be parting ways at the end of 2025, regardless of the Spaniard having a contract until 2028.
Although the split is mutual, Ayuso keen on a change of scenery, the 22-year-old was angered by the announcement mid-race, saying it was disrespectful and went against their agreement to make the departure public at the end of the three-week tour.
Talking to several TV channels before the start of stage 10, Ayuso jumped into an extraordinary criticism of UAE Team Emirates, calling the team “a dictatorship” and accusing them of “trying to damage my reputation”.
Speaking in Spanish, the footage used on the TNT Sports broadcast originally filmed by Borja Cuadrado of radio station Cadena SER, Ayuso told the TV cameras of his disgust at the timing of the announcement.
With concerned-looking UAE staff onlooking, Ayuso said: “It’s good to know that what happened in the past months is gone, it’s been a difficult preparation for the Vuelta. I don’t agree with the team statement. Yesterday evening it was announced at around 7pm and I was told at around 6.30pm. There were some journalists with whom I’ve got a good relationship who knew from lunchtime that the announcement was going to be made.
“We agreed that the statement was going to be announced publicly when the Vuelta was over, in order not to affect things on the sporting side, nor the atmosphere in the team or any other teammate. When it came out yesterday, and why, well, I think that’s a question you need to ask the team. Why suddenly without any notice? Obviously, I know why they did it. They’re trying to damage my reputation and image.
“I would have liked to have ended things well with the team because all along the negotiation was to end things well, but sometimes it seems that’s not possible. It’s more like a dictatorship.”
It leaves Ayuso and his teammates in a bizarre position for the remainder of the race, the departing rider dropping out of the GC fight but also winning a stage in the opening week, and apparently now in open conflict with the hierarchy.
João Almeida is currently third on GC, just 24 seconds down on Jonas Vingegaard. It remains to be seen if the Portuguese rider can count on Ayuso’s support during the rest of the Vuelta.
Last night, in the sudden statement which shocked many, UAE Team Emirates’s CEO Mauro Gianetti said they were grateful for Ayuso’s years with the team, and accepted he is “a valuable talent”, but suggested their “sporting project has always been focused on continuity, group harmony, and building a winning team”.
“We believe that, in the best interests of both parties, this decision is the most consistent with the values that define our organisation,” he continued. “UAE Team Emirates – XRG will continue on its path of growth and development, confident that the team’s identity and strength remain our foundation. We wish Juan every success in the future.”
During stage 10, Eurosport Italy reported Gianetti told them the statement was drafted two weeks ago and disputed the idea that Ayuso and his manager were only warned 30 minutes before its publication.
In the announcement last night a comment from Ayuso said he wanted to thank the team for the support and opportunities, but it is “the time for me to take a different path”.
4 thoughts on ““They’re trying to damage my reputation”: Juan Ayuso brands UAE Team Emirates “a dictatorship” in extraordinary interview just hours after sudden exit confirmed”
Nope, Ayuso, this is no
Nope, Ayuso, this is no dictatorship. This is called the corporate world where employers put pressure on their staffers and get rid of inadequate employees. This happens to millions of mere mortals every day.
Don’t badmouth your current employers because other team owners and DS are watching you.
His employers are effectively
His employers are effectively the UAE government, so he’s maybe not really that far wrong.
Fancy that, UAE and
Fancy that, UAE and dictatorship in the same article.
I think he’s doing a good
I think he’s doing a good enough job all on his own of damaging his reputation without the help of his employers, who, regardless of what they represent, have a contract with him to be an employee meeting certain (not necessarily sporting) targets.