Ayuso is training again but won't race until the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Juan Ayuso, the prodigious UAE Team Emirates rider, has reportedly resumed training following a challenging period marked by health issues and crashes. While the 23-year-old Spaniard is back on the bike, his return to competitive racing is slated for the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in late May, as confirmed by AS. This timeline means Ayuso will miss a significant block of spring racing, including the Ardennes Classics, after his promising start to the season was derailed by a Paris-Nice crash and subsequent withdrawal from Itzulia Basque Country.

This latest setback interrupts what many anticipated would be Ayuso's breakthrough Grand Tour year, particularly after his impressive Volta ao Algarve victory and leading position at Paris-Nice. His career has been a series of tantalising glimpses of potential, often punctuated by physical misfortunes since his Vuelta a España podium in 2022. The extended absence from high-level competition raises questions about his form heading into the crucial summer months, especially with the Tour de France looming and internal team dynamics at UAE.

Ayuso's talent is undeniable, but consistency remains his elusive rival. One hopes this latest pause allows for a full reset, rather than merely delaying the inevitable next mishap.