Matxin explains Vuelta selection of departing Ayuso, but ex-pro sees it differently: "I’m guessing it was a sort of punishment"

Ayuso was selected for the Vuelta, even though it appeared for a long time that Tadej Pogacar would be participating in the Tour of Spain. Nevertheless, Matxin assured Marca that there had always been communication with Ayuso. “After the Giro, he asked me if he could ride the Vuelta. At the time, I didn't consider it because, at 22 years of age, it didn't seem logical to me to ride two Grand Tours. It's true that not finishing the Tour de France changed the situation,” the 54-year-old Spaniard admits.

“We talked about it again later, and we also had a conversation before the Tour de France,” the team boss continues. "It also depended on how Tadej finished in France. In the team, we always review the lineup: who can win and who still needs to improve. There are two types of riders. For me, the ‘invisibles’ – Novak, Oliveira, Grossschartner – are just as important as the leaders."

Matxin believes that Pogacar and Ayuso complement each other well. “But if you have two who can win, it makes sense to separate them. If Pogacar had come to the Vuelta, Ayuso would have done San Sebastián, Poland, Plouay, and Canada. After discussing the possibility of Juan riding the Vuelta and the Tour, we realized it was too much for Tadej...”

“The Vuelta, the World Championships, the European Championships, and Lombardy... That's why we adjusted the schedules: Pogacar to Canada and Ayuso to the Vuelta. It was a natural change that all parties agreed to,” said Matxin.

It seems like a coherent story from Matxin, but because Ayuso and UAE have not been on good terms for some time, not everyone seems to believe the story. Former rider Danielson sees it differently. “I’m guessing it was a sort of punishment,” the American said on X. “I think after the Giro situation there was some sort of explosion within the team. He likely shopped around, found a team, and then asked to get out of his deal. They agreed and he probably stopped training.”

“Maybe at this time Pogi was still thinking of doing the Vuelta so mentally Ayuso was done for the season. Pogi bailed on Vuelta officially and it’s possible the team decided to send Ayuso there to achieve exactly what is happening, exposing who he is,” Danielson continues.

The American also thinks that selecting João Almeida played a role. "Matching him up with Almeida but not in top form means his only real option would be to help. He refused to help and then made a statement for the world to see with the stage win. So mission accomplished exposing it all from the team and then they announced his departure. All checks out."