Juan Ayuso will miss the upcoming Ardennes Classics after medical tests carried out following Itzulia Basque Country revealed a recent viral infection, ending any immediate hope of a return to racing in one of the most important blocks of the spring.
The news continues a stop-start period for the Spaniard, who had already endured a heavy crash at Paris-Nice before attempting to race his way back into form at Itzulia. While the latest update suggests there is no fresh traumatic injury involved, it does confirm that Ayuso is not yet ready to return to competition. For a rider expected to be a major factor in hilly one-day races and stage races alike, that makes his absence from the Ardennes a significant loss.
A spring campaign disrupted by crashes and illness
Ayuso’s spring has been repeatedly interrupted, first by a heavy crash at Paris-Nice that forced him out of the race while he was in the leader’s jersey. A medical update released afterwards offered some immediate reassurance, with his team confirming that hospital X-rays in France showed no fractures and that further on-site clinical assessment ruled out any other serious injuries.
“Fortunately, X-rays performed at the hospital in France did not reveal any fractures for Ayuso. A further clinical assessment performed by the Team doctor on-site at the Team hotel has also ruled out any other serious injuries. Juan will continue to monitored by the Team’s medical staff & another update will be provided only if necessary,” the team said at the time.
That appeared to leave the door open for a relatively quick return, and Ayuso did make it back to racing at Itzulia Basque Country. But the comeback quickly became another difficult week rather than a reset.
Itzulia return ended before the race reached the decisive mountains
Ayuso started Itzulia Basque Country as the reigning champion of the race, but never looked comfortable in this year’s edition. His problems began early, with a disappointing performance in the opening time trial leaving him with a large deficit before the race had properly settled.
Speaking before stage 4, he admitted how badly the week had started. “The second stage was super tough and I wasn’t feeling very well. On top of that, I had pretty bad stomach problems yesterday.”
He also tried to inject some humour into the situation, saying, “I think I rode harder to the bus after the finish yesterday than I rode during the stage itself.”
Those comments came after what he had already described as “one of the worst TT performances I can remember” on stage 1 in Bilbao. Over the 13.8-kilometre hilly test, Ayuso lost 1:16 to stage winner Paul Seixas, a gap that immediately pushed him well off the pace in the general classification and left him chasing the race rather than controlling it.
He eventually abandoned the race on Thursday’s 167.2km stage from Galdakao, with his team confirming stomach issues as the reason for his withdrawal.
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Photo Credit: Amstel Gold Race
Viral infection now rules him out of the Ardennes
The latest medical update has now provided greater clarity on what sat behind that difficult return. Tests carried out after Itzulia showed a recent viral infection, and Ayuso has not recovered enough to resume racing.
That means he will miss the upcoming Ardennes Classics, a block of races where his climbing ability and punch would usually make him one of the most closely watched riders. It is also another blow in a spring that has never properly settled after Paris-Nice.
For now, the focus shifts away from racing and back to recovery. After a crash, a comeback, and then another setback through illness, Ayuso’s next objective will simply be getting healthy enough to restart his season on firmer ground.
