Juan Ayuso to Leave UAE Team Emirates Early After Contract Termination

Juan Ayuso, a highly regarded 22-year-old Spanish cyclist, will leave UAE Team Emirates–XRG at the end of the 2025 season after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract, which was originally set to run until 2028. The split was attributed to differences in long-term development plans and misalignment with the team’s sporting philosophy, particularly surrounding Ayuso's individual racing ambitions conflicting with the team’s collective goals, as seen during recent races like the Vuelta a España and the 2024 Tour de France. His departure follows a series of internal tensions, especially with teammate João Almeida, who publicly criticized Ayuso for not supporting key riders such as Tadej Pogacar. Despite these challenges, Ayuso expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided by UAE Team Emirates and indicated his readiness to pursue a new path with enthusiasm. While his next team remains unconfirmed, Lidl-Trek is widely considered a leading candidate to sign him for the 2026 season. UAE Team Emirates emphasized their commitment to team harmony and growth, wishing Ayuso success as they continue to build around other top general classification talents.