Juan Ayuso wins the queen stage of the Tour of Switzerland and is already the best Spaniard of the season
Juan Ayuso, 20 radiant years of class, strength and plant, offered, in the 5th stage of the Tour of Switzerland, on the queen day, a sample of his immense possibilities. Coming from behind, from the group of notables, he went up to people who, in the Albulapass pass, in a special category, 15 kilometers at 6.7% on average, were falling behind from the great break of the day.
He caught Antonio Tiberi and Rui Costa, the most resistant, and, without allowing himself even a few seconds of respite, of recovery, he left them 'thrown'. Coronó, with 9.8 km to go. for the arrival, with 33 seconds of advantage. Further back, the leader, Felix Gall. With him, Wilco Kelderman and Pello Bilbao, at 103″. Remco Evenepoel, in trouble, but not in real oxygen debt, did it at 114.
On the descent, long, wide, with good ground and a final part of closed technical meanders, Ayuso, impeccable in his lines, reaching 100 kilometers per hour in some sections, increased the differences, which, in relation to his immediate pursuers, it exceeded the minute. He appeared alone, imperial, at the finish line with 54 seconds ahead of Mattias Skjelmose, Pello Bilbao, Rigoberto Urán, Romain Bardet and Kelderman. In tenth place, Evenepoel, at 1.20, saved the furniture for the time trial on Saturday, in which the Spaniard will also have something to say.
A few meters before the arrival, Juan touched his helmet and the lower part of his right leg, which he separated from the bicycle. He was probably alluding to the fact that he had remained mentally strong through the long weeks of uncertainty in the diagnosis and almost disabling ailments in the Achilles tendon of that leg.. Then, already on foot, he expressed the amazing serenity, without concessions to a logical jubilation, of someone who is convinced that victories, numerous and important, will form a predestined part of his sporting life.
After his triumph in the time trial of the Tour de Romandie, the cyclist from Jávea and the Emirates team, already brings together two World Tour category riders this season, the best Spaniard of the season. The general is headed by Skjelmose Jensen. Second is Gall, 8 seconds behind. Third, Ayuso, 18. Evenepoel, fourth, 46. Pello Bilbao, fifth, 57.
Friday's stage, La Punt-Oberwil-Lieli, is the longest of the round and also mountainous: 215 km. and 3,295 meters of unevenness. Another favorable day for Ayuso?