Juan Ayuso is ready to lead Lidl-Trek at the Tour de France says training partner Verona

Carlos Verona is confident that Juan Ayuso will perform well in his first Tour de France as the lead rider for Lidl-Trek. Ayuso’s regular training partner told Ciclismo Internacional that his buddy is ready for the three weeks in July.

Ever since Ayuso joined Lidl-Trek, Verona has been by his side at all times, both on and off the course. The two Spaniards—aged 33 and 23—are key to the team's general classification ambitions, one as a domestique and the other as the team leader.

Although Lidl-Trek didn't win very much in the first half of 2026, Verona believes a turnaround is on the horizon. "In cycling, there's always a cycle. If you handle things right, it's only a matter of time before you're back at the top."

With a Tour de Fracne teams comprising Ayuso, Mattias Skjelmose, Derek Gee-West, Mads Pedersen, and Mathias Vacek (and without Giulio Ciccone) there’s no reason to think Verona will be proven wrong. “The start of 2026 didn’t go as hoped, but that’s just part of the game. You appreciate it all the more when things do go well.”

"The Lidl-Trek project is among the top three in the world; it's only a matter of time before we're in the running for the number one spot in the UCI rankings," he adds ambitiously. "We have the talent and the resources."

Despite the increasingly strong roster, Verona, at 33, wasn't certain to make the cut for the Tour de France. “I’m on the preliminary list of twelve riders for the Tour, and I’m going to do everything I can to make the team,” Verona said earlier in the week.

The Tour’s start in Barcelona, Spain, and Ayuso’s participation make the Tour de France especially valuable for Verona. “I’d love to ride for Juan and Mads; I really missed the Tour when I couldn’t participate in 2023 and 2025. If I’m healthy, I hope to make the team.”

With the team announcement on Tuesday July 30, Verona's wish to help his teammates came true. And with the surprise addition of Derek Gee-West, Ayuso has even more firepower to call on in the mountains.

A three-year contract extension set to expire at the end of 2025 spoke volumes about Verona’s standing at Lidl-Trek, even as the team continues to attract more and more big names every year. “Ayuso’s arrival didn’t influence my contract extension. This team just feels like home to me.”

"Juan's arrival is, of course, a huge boost for the team," said Verona. "He brings a fresh perspective and enthusiasm, and now I can pass on my experience to a young, energetic leader with ambition and potential."