Juan Ayuso to miss upcoming Ardennes Classics through illness

Juan Ayuso will be absent from this year’s Ardennes Classics due to illness, Lidl-Trek confirmed. The Spanish rider, who was scheduled to compete in La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, has been sidelined by a recent viral infection detected following medical tests after the Itzulia Basque Country race. As a result, Ayuso is not yet fit to return to competition, forcing the team to revise their plans for the upcoming spring classics. Ayuso, who joined Lidl-Trek on a five-year contract earlier this season, was set to make his debut at Liège-Bastogne-Liège this month. Although he has previously raced La Flèche Wallonne twice, he did not complete either edition. His absence leaves the team reliant on other leaders such as defending Amstel Gold Race champion Mattias Skjelmose and Giulio Ciccone to spearhead their efforts across the Ardennes races. Additionally, rising talent Thibau Nys will also miss the classics due to a recent knee operation. The 23-year-old’s recent form has been disrupted by a series of setbacks. After a strong start to the season with a stage win and overall victory at the Volta ao Algarve, Ayuso’s campaign was hampered by crashes and illness, including a withdrawal from Itzulia Basque Country due to stomach issues. His last competitive outing was on stage four of that race, where he struggled before pulling out. These challenges have delayed his progression ahead of his main target for the year, the Tour de France, where he is expected to co-lead Lidl-Trek alongside Skjelmose. The timing of Ayuso’s illness is unfortunate, as the Ardennes Classics are key fixtures in the spring racing calendar and an important opportunity for the young rider to gain experience and results. Lidl-Trek will now focus on managing his recovery and monitoring his return to form, with no clear timeline yet for when he will resume racing. The team’s attention will shift to preparing their remaining leaders for the demanding races ahead while supporting Ayuso’s rehabilitation.