João Almeida and Juan Ayuso will co-lead UAE Team Emirates-XRG at the Vuelta a España in August. Both riders have had disrupted build-ups: Almeida abandoned last year's Vuelta with COVID-19 and crashed out of the recent Tour de France, while Ayuso abandoned the Giro d'Italia and managed only two days of racing this summer before committing to a second Grand Tour in the same season. The absence of Tadej Pogačar makes Jonas the pre-race favourite for victory in Madrid. Almeida stressed that dual leadership offers tactical strength and expressed cautious optimism about his readiness, while Ayuso noted his irregular preparation and late call-up.
"Of course, Jonas is the favourite, he's won the Tour twice, he's one of the best two riders of his generation, but we're also strong," Almeida said. "If we have two cards to play, then we are stronger when you have only one."
"Let's find out," he said with a slight smile. "I'm feeling good on the bike, I think I'm ready, but we'll see day by day."
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