Juan Ayuso meets the media at the Lidl-Trek media day in Denia, Spain.

As media days go, this one had everything.

Prominent names lining up their strategies for the upcoming season, new transfer signings greeting the media for the first time, accessibility to every rider from all of the team’s squads, one of the most entertaining press conference moments in a long time, intrigue, and a genuine outline of what could be a thrilling season ahead.

Move over rival team media days that clutter Spain at this time of year – you were well organised and engaging too, but the Lidl-Trek media day eclipsed you all.

First up, the new GC leader, Juan Ayuso, arrived fashionably late to his press conference and before a question could even be asked, the Spaniard took a seat, and with eyes down in front of him, read a brief statement that attempted to close the chapter on his fractious departure from UAE Team Emirates-XRG.

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As far as performances go, Ayuso won’t win any Oscars for his delivery, but the message, which read more like a hostage note than a sincere goodbye, still held weight. Perhaps we’ll find out later today at the UAE Team Emirates camp as to why the Spaniard was inclined to read such a statement, but when he folded his piece of paper at the conclusion of his message the first question of “How’s life at Lidl-Trek?” came in, and Ayuso met it instantly with a simple “much better” and the entire room descended into laughter. In the background, one journalist could be heard saying ‘absolute classic’.

The statement Juan Ayuso read out at the Lidl-Trek media day.

This new dawn at Lidl-Trek will be entertaining, of that there should be no doubt, and Ayuso’s charisma and ability to speak his mind will elevate the attention around his new team. Last night, over dinner with colleagues, we debated how good the Tour would be if the top two rivals were Ayuso and Evenepoel.

The full audio from the press conference is in the founding member WhatsApp group.

There was a serious tone to the rest of the press conference, too. After all, Ayuso has arrived as the team’s brand new GC leader – although we might get confirmation of Derek Gee-West’s arrival in the coming days too – and the 23-year-old laid out his path to the Tour de France.

Note: We’re hearing that Gee-West might even be arriving at the camp today.