After a lot of speculation, Lidl-Trek confirmed this morning that they have pulled off one of the biggest transfers of the season with the signing of Juan Ayuso on a long-term contract that will run until the end of 2030. The Spanish prodigy, just 23 years old, arrives with a glittering palmarès already behind him and the promise of much more to come.
Ayuso first lit up the WorldTour in 2022 when he finished third overall at the Vuelta a España in his Grand Tour debut. He backed it up in 2023 with fourth overall and the white jersey as best young rider. Since then, he has steadily built his reputation as one of the finest stage racers in the world, combining climbing power with a lethal time trial engine.
Victories at Itzulia Basque Country and Tirreno-Adriatico, along with stage wins at both the Vuelta a España and Giro d’Italia, have underlined his credentials. His 2025 campaign has been his most successful yet, with triumphs at Faun Drome Classic, Trofeo Laigueglia, the overall and a stage at Tirreno-Adriatico, a stage at the Giro, and three stage wins at the Vuelta, including the team time trial. He also added a stage at Volta a Catalunya, further proof of his consistency across different terrains.
Ayuso himself is eager for the next step: “Joining Lidl-Trek is the start of an important new chapter in my career. Change always brings new energy and ambitions, so I can’t wait to get started. The long-term project the Team is building feels unique and special, and it’s the right place for me to grow. I want to keep improving in the biggest races, and contribute to the Team’s goal of becoming the best squad in the world.”
Lidl-Trek General Manager Luca Guercilena made clear what Ayuso represents for the project: “Juan is already one of the best climbers and time trialists in the world, which makes for a very exciting package. At only 23 years old, he still has room to grow. Bringing him on board is a major step in our long-term vision, and we’re excited about what we can achieve together.”
After his breakthrough podium at the Vuelta in 2022, Ayuso’s steady rise has marked him as one of the defining riders of his generation. With Lidl-Trek investing in his future through 2030, the next chapter promises to be central to both his career and the Team’s ambitions of becoming the dominant force in stage racing.
