Juan Ayuso on his way to winning a stage at the Vuelta a España. Photo courtesy of SWPix.
Juan Ayuso has signed a five-year deal with Lidl-Trek that will run until the end of 2030.
The Spanish rider had been granted permission to terminate his contract and speak to rival squads by UAE Team Emirates-XRG on September 1. Following that announcement, a three-party agreement was reached between the rider, UAE, and Lidl-Trek.
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Ayuso is currently set to race the UCI Road World Championships this weekend and isn’t expected to race in UAE Team Emirates-XRG colours for the remainder of the season, before making the switch to Lidl-Trek on January 1.
The confirmation of Ayuso’s five-year deal, which we first reported earlier this month, brings to an end a turbulent period for the rider.
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Ayuso, 23, burst onto the scene as a teenager and finished third overall in his first Grand Tour at the Vuelta a España in 2022. He was seen as the heir apparent to Tadej Pogačar, but fractures emerged between the Spanish rider and his team during the 2024 Tour de France, with a public show of frustration from teammate João Almeida on the Col du Galibier.
All parties played down the incident, but the murmurs of discontent carried into 2025. Ayuso was appointed leader for this year’s Giro d’Italia and, despite a strong start to the race, he later withdrew following a series of unlucky incidents, including a crash and a bee sting.
Teammate Isaac del Toro became the team’s leader in the Giro and finished second overall.
A last-minute call-up for the Vuelta a España was handed to Ayuso, and he won two individual stages. However, the off-the-bike issues concerning his contract, cooperation with Almeida, and his future within the team dominated the narrative.
A major obstacle for Ayuso was the long-term contract he signed back in 2023 with UAE, which not only extended until the end of 2028 but also includes a buyout clause reportedly set at 100 million euros. The rider engaged cycling agent Giovanni Lombardi in July, which clearly indicated his desire to try and leave his current team. Our sources have informed us that, despite interest from several WorldTour squads, including Astana, Ineos, and Movistar, the only concrete offer came from Lidl-Trek.
On September 1, UAE Team Emirates-XRG announced that Ayuso could leave the team, and from what we understand, a compensation package was agreed upon as part of the three-party agreement, although it was never even close to the region of 100 million euros.
The confirmation of his arrival on Lidl-Trek starts a new chapter for Ayuso after what was clearly a difficult period for both the rider and those around him, while it also hands Lidl-Trek a legitimate Grand Tour leader for 2026 and beyond.
“I’m really excited. Joining Lidl-Trek is the start of an important new chapter in my career, and I’m motivated to keep growing as a rider. Change always brings new energy and ambitions, so I can’t wait to get started,” Ayuso said in a press release issued by his future team.
“From the outside, you can see the team has built a strong identity, with a lot of unity and ambition. The long-term project they’re putting together is something quite unique and special. It feels like a place where I can take the next step in my development, surrounded by riders and staff who share the same goals. I want to keep improving in the biggest races; the Team has the ambition to become the best team in the world, so I’m really looking forward to contributing to that success. I feel super grateful towards the Team for giving me this opportunity and their confidence. I can’t wait to wear the Lidl-Trek jersey,” he added.
Lidl-Trek have certainly improved in the last few years and have risen towards the top of the UCI rankings. They are regarded as one of the most complete Classics and sprint teams in the world, boasting a talent pool that includes Mads Pedersen, Jonathan Milan, and Mathias Vacek. However, when it comes to stage racing and especially the GC bracket within Grand Tours, the American team are off the pace when compared to UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Visma-Lease a Bike.
Mattias Skjelmose is talented but hasn’t yet managed to secure a podium in a three-week race (yet), while Tao Geoghegan Hart hasn’t been able to replicate his GC form since joining the team at the start of 2024. The British rider has one more year on his current deal but hasn’t been able to contend for top honours since his career-threatening crash at the 2023 Giro d’Italia.
Signing Ayuso, especially on a long-term deal, doesn’t come without risk, but his arrival certainly strengthens the team’s firepower in week-long stage races and Grand Tours. He has the talent to compete, while leaving UAE Team Emirates-XRG behind offers the rider the chance to rebuild his career and put some of the negativity that has followed him over the last 18 months behind him.
“Juan is one of the brightest young talents in cycling,” said Luca Guercilena, Lidl-Trek General Manager.
“He 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, and we are committed to giving him all the support he needs to reach his full potential. Bringing Juan on board is an important step in our long-term vision, and we are excited to see what we can achieve together in the years ahead.”
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