“I dream of being like him, so to do that I would have to beat him” – Juan Ayuso was set on beating Tadej Pogacar.

They announced that both Juan Ayuso and Adam Yates would be riding in the 2025 Giro d’Italia at their training camp in December. It’s still unclear whether the two will work together as a two-pronged leadership plan for UAE Team Emirates or as Tadej Pogacar’s right-hand men.

It is well known that Ayuso got into trouble with his UAE Team Emirates teammates for riding as a domiciliary for Pogacar at the 2024 Tour de France. The Spaniard told Bici Pro that he is not worried about the possibility of the Slovenian taking over as race leader at the Giro d’Italia next year.

Ayuso smiles and says, “I’m going to the Giro. If Tadej comes with me, there will be two of us, and that’s fine.” I am totally focused on the Giro; it is one of my main goals for next season. Nothing changes for me when it comes to getting ready. There is no better way to prepare than the way you always do it. We would race one way if Tadej were there. If he’s not there, things will be different, but the Giro will still be the main idea.

There were rumors earlier this year that UAE Team Emirates was having problems with Ayuso’s work as a domestique, or lack thereof. However, the Spaniard says he has nothing but respect for Pogacar, even though he doesn’t always look to him for help. No one seems to be having as much trouble as Tadej, which makes it hard to get help. This man is the best in the world, and everything he does looks easier than it is, says Ayuso. “A lot of my friends who aren’t cyclists don’t watch a lot of races.” They then see Tadej doing some things and think it’s okay. I tell them it’s not true. If you want to get along with Tadej, it’s better to have him on your side than against you.

“The best person in the world.” It’s like how Messi moves with the ball and gets around everyone. That might also look easy, but when you see everyone else, you know they can’t do it. “I see him as a baseball player like Messi,” Ayuso says. “If he’s the best rider in the world right now, I guess I’ll have to beat him to do better.” But who knows what you in the press would say if I said something like that? His name is John, and he is the best rider in the world. One day I hope to be better than him. I want to be like him, so I need to beat him. I don’t want this to be taken the wrong way, because Tadej is not a competition, but my standard. You have to try to reach the bar that he sets.”