'Don't invent stories where there aren't any' – Lidl-Trek teammate defends Juan Ayuso after social media criticism over Basque Country withdrawal

Juan Ayuso’s withdrawal from the Itzulia Basque Country race on stage four has sparked debate after some fans criticised the young Spaniard for allegedly not supporting his Lidl-Trek teammates. Ayuso, who had recently returned to competition following a significant crash at Paris-Nice, was forced to abandon the race due to persistent stomach issues that left him unable to perform at his best. His departure came as a disappointment, especially given his promising start to the season with a victory at the Volta ao Algarve. In response to the criticism, Lidl-Trek rider Julien Bernard publicly defended Ayuso on social media, dismissing claims that the rider was unwilling to help the team. Bernard clarified that it was actually the team’s general classification leader, Mattias Skjelmose, who advised Ayuso not to overexert himself, emphasising the importance of preserving his condition for upcoming races. Bernard urged fans to refrain from fabricating stories and acknowledged the team’s collective efforts to support each other despite the challenges faced. Ayuso’s recent form has been hampered by misfortune, including a crash during a wet stage at Paris-Nice while he was leading the race. His stomach problems at the Basque Country event compounded these difficulties, ultimately forcing him out of his third race of the season. Speaking candidly, Ayuso revealed that his health issues worsened during the race, affecting his performance and leading to his withdrawal. Looking ahead, Ayuso is expected to compete in the Ardennes Classics, including La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he will race alongside Skjelmose and face top contenders such as Tadej Pogačar. His team remains hopeful that he will recover fully and be able to challenge the elite riders in these prestigious one-day races, signalling a potential return to form after a challenging start to 2026.