'I suffered because of crashes and illnesses' – Juan Ayuso back racing at Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes after rollercoaster first half of season

Juan Ayuso is set to make his return to competitive racing at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes this Sunday, nearly two months after withdrawing from the Itzulia Basque Country due to illness. The 23-year-old Spaniard, now riding for Lidl-Trek, has spent three weeks training in Sierra Nevada and will lead his team’s general classification ambitions both in this week-long stage race and at the upcoming Tour de France. Ayuso is widely regarded as Spain’s top contender for overall success in the Grand Tour, and this race marks a crucial step in his preparation for the season’s highlight event. Ayuso’s 2026 campaign has been a rollercoaster, beginning positively with a victory at the Volta ao Algarve shortly after his move from UAE Team Emirates-XRG to Lidl-Trek. However, his momentum was disrupted by a series of setbacks, including a forced abandonment while leading Paris-Nice and subsequent illness at Itzulia, a race he won in 2024. Reflecting on this challenging period, Ayuso acknowledged that crashes and health issues had hampered his season, but he feels rejuvenated after his recent training block and is eager to resume racing with a clear focus on July’s Tour de France. The Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes will also serve as an important test for Lidl-Trek’s team time trial capabilities ahead of the Tour de France. The squad will use the race’s stage 4 team time trial in Perreux as a final rehearsal for the opening Tour TTT in Barcelona, which is considered pivotal for GC contenders. Ayuso emphasised the significance of this preparation, noting that the team has prioritised training for the event and aims to be competitive for the stage win, which could set a strong tone for their ambitions in the Grand Tour. Despite the absence of some top rivals such as Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, who are focusing on other races, Ayuso will face stiff competition from riders like Paul Seixas and his former UAE teammate Isaac Del Toro. He acknowledged the strength of the field and expressed his intent to be a key figure in the GC battle, promising an exciting race for spectators. With his form returning and his team’s support, Ayuso’s performance in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes could prove a vital indicator of his readiness for the Tour de France challenge ahead.