Ayuso 'feeling good again' ahead of Tour de France after Dauphiné illness

Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) has confirmed that he suffered from illness during the finale of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, but has recovered and is satisfied with his form ahead of the Tour de France.

Speaking to Wielerflits, the Lidl-Trek rider was asked about his final preparations, with Ayuso revealing that he had fallen ill on the last stage of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (formerly the Critérium du Dauphiné)

Yet despite the illness, the 23-year-old would still finish third overall behind Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Luke Tuckwell (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe).

“I felt it coming on Saturday evening. I had a headache on Sunday morning. I’m glad I was still able to ride a reasonably good stage," Ayuso told Wielerflits. 

“After that, I had to stop training for three or four days. I would have done that anyway, though, because normally that’s a rest period,” he added. 

Ayuso has since recovered and holds the belief that he is in as good shape as he could be and that the timing of his illness could have been much worse.

“Recovery was difficult, but I’ve been feeling good again for the last two weeks. I’m happy to be here in the shape I’m currently in. I’ll take it as it comes. I think I’ve made the most of it given the circumstances," said Ayuso.

“If I had to choose a moment to get sick, that was it. I’m staying positive. I wouldn’t have lost as much as I would have if I’d fallen ill now."

Despite the positivity, Ayuso also acknowledged the fact that the illness has left him with a few question marks over where he stands ahead of a challenging opening week. 

The Spaniard suggested that his form will improve as the race progresses, which will bode well come the Alps in the crucial third and final week of the race.

“It’s hard to say. I can still improve during the race. The toughest part is at the end. I mainly need to survive the first week. The Alps will ultimately be decisive. Hopefully, I’ll be in good shape by then,” he said.

Ayuso is targeting a podium in Paris with Mattias Skjelmose alongside him in a co-leader role, while the strong Lidl-Trek team also includes Derek Gee-West, Mads Pedersen, Quinn Simmons, Toms Skujiņš, Mathias Vacek and Carlos Verona

A tough start on home soil with the Spanish Grand Départ will give Ayuso and the rest of the GC contenders a better indication of where they stand, with the team time trial in Barcelona kicking off proceedings on Saturday. 

Lidl-Trek will be the twentieth team to begin their effort on Saturday at 18:40 CET.