'One of my worst TT performances that I can remember' - favourite Juan Ayuso pulls no punches after Itzulia Basque Country stage 1 time trial major setback

Juan Ayuso, a pre-race favourite for Itzulia Basque Country, endured a significant setback on Monday's opening 10km time trial in Irun, finishing a disappointing 44th, 45 seconds behind winner Primož Roglič. The UAE Team Emirates rider candidly described it as "one of my worst TT performances," immediately putting him on the back foot in the general classification battle against formidable rivals like Roglič, Remco Evenepoel, and Jonas Vingegaard.

This performance is particularly notable given Ayuso's strong start to the season, including a dominant overall victory at Tirreno-Adriatico. While Itzulia's notoriously undulating terrain and unpredictable weather often allow for GC shake-ups beyond the opening prologue, a 45-second deficit to a rider of Roglič's calibre is a substantial hole. It shifts the tactical onus firmly onto UAE Team Emirates to isolate and attack their rivals, rather than relying on Ayuso's time trialling prowess later in the week.

Ayuso's honest assessment is refreshing, but the road back from such a deficit in this company will be less so. Itzulia's unpredictability is his only real ally now.