What are Juan Ayuso's thoughts on the opening weekend in Albania? "A great opportunity to gain some time"

Racing in Italy is something special for the always outspoken Ayuso. "I’m really excited to start my first Giro D’Italia. It’s extra special because it’s a new race for me, and having raced for an Italian team (Colpak) before I turned professional and won the Baby Giro in 2021, I feel I have a special connection with Italy," said Ayuso, who has already enjoyed success this season in the Trofeo Laigueglia and Tirreno-Adriatico.

"It’s been a great start to the year, with some special victories both for me personally and for the team. The goal is to keep that run and that spirit going for the Giro D’Italia," said Ayuso, who will be joined by Adam Yates, Brandon McNulty, Rafal Majka, Jay Vine, and Isaac del Toro, among others. "I think we have the strongest team in the race, and I feel that is our biggest strength. We have strong rivals in the GC, with Roglic in particular, but we are ready for the challenge."

"Roglic will be the man to beat, and in terms of the GC, he is the strongest rider at the start. They will have to control the race, but we will try to make it difficult for them," said Ayuso, who the Slovenian beat in March. "I think the Giro is a different story than the Tour of Catalonia. Here, you have more time trials and days where you can only lose, while in Catalonia, it's more a matter of racing every day. So it's different: harder and longer. You have to be careful and focused every day."

"I understand that people see me as the favorite, but I don't really feel that pressure," continued the UAE Emirates-XRG team leader. "I know I have a chance, and I will seize it with both hands because that's what you must do in cycling today. I've been on the podium before but don't know what it feels like to win a grand tour. I still have that milestone to achieve, and it would be a dream come true."

To wear pink in Rome, Ayuso and his team first must get through the days in Albania. "The first day will be crucial because it will be stressful, which means you can lose more than you can win. I hope we get through the day safely. I see the time trial as a good opportunity to gain time for the others. Day three will be tough, but the climb is still far from the finish, and I don't see it as an obvious opportunity."

Finally, Ayuso is still only 22, but as a cyclist, he no longer feels like the new kid on the block. "I don't know if my age matters. I probably would have said yes if you had asked me that question in the 2022 or 2023 Vuelta. Those were my first big races, and I didn't know exactly how I would feel during the last week. But now I'm already starting my fourth big race, so I don't know if that question is still relevant. If I were to drop out in the last week, I don't think age would necessarily play a role."