Juan Ayuso (UAE Group Emirates-XRG) failed to copy his 2024 victory over Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) within the opening Tirreno-Adriatico time trial alongside the Versilia seafront in Tuscany however the younger Spaniard nevertheless gained his private combat along with his rival total contenders, gaining vital seconds on a swathe of big-name riders.
Ayuso used to be two seconds quicker than Ganna on the intermediate level after 5 kilometres of the 11.5km out-and-back direction however then looked as if it would tie up and lose velocity within the ultimate moments of the degree. He set a time of 12:40 however then Ganna blasted to the end to clock an unbeatable 12:17.
Ganan pulled at the blue chief’s jersey, whilst Ayuso made it into the most productive younger rider’s white jersey.
“No tenía piernas” – I did not have the legs [to win].” Ayuso defined.
“It is a other race, I felt worse this time. Final 12 months I felt in reality excellent, this time I wasn’t nice. Ganna used to be on any other stage however for the GC combat, I used to be nonetheless the quickest, which is the principle function.”
Ayuso’s closest GC rivals are, for now, Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) who was only six seconds slower than the Spaniard. Canada’s Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) was eleven seconds slower and impressed again after recently winning the recent O Gran Camiño stage race.
One of Ayuso’s teammates, Isaac del Toro was only 15 seconds slower and will be a valuable support or Plan ‘B’ for UAE Team Emirates. Another option for UAE could be Adam Yates, but he has apparently recently been ill and lost 40 seconds.
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Some of the expected challengers lost significantly more time. Eddie Dunbar (Jayco-AlUla) lost 21 seconds to Ayuso, Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) 32 seconds, Giulio Coccone (Lidl-Trek) and Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) lost 33, Tom Pidcock (Q36.5) 44, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-Easypost) 46 seconds and Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma-Lease a Bike) 50.
“There are two or 3 riders who’re slightly shut however the riders who’re in reality excellent within the mountains are at over 30 seconds, which is slightly a large time hole,” Ayuso remarked.
This year’s Tirreno-Adriatico includes long stages over 200km but fewer major climbs as it crosses from the Tyrrhenian coast to the Adriatic. Only stage 6 from Cartoceto to Frontignano (Ussita) is considered a full-blown mountain stage.
“We handiest in reality have one and part levels of mountaineering however the whole thing continues to be to play for,” Ayuso said, knowing the next six days will be testing in many ways.
“There may be nonetheless so much to race and it’ll be onerous with the lengthy levels and unhealthy climate.”
Ayuso seems extra motivated than ever. He is aware of that he has to end up himself, within the game and in all probability inside of UAE Group Emirates if he’s to be a contender on the Giro d’Italia, the place he’s anticipated to percentage staff management with Yates however the Briton is in all probability somewhat forward within the Grand Excursion hierarchy.
