Ayuso ruled out of Ardennes Classics after viral infection

Juan Ayuso has been ruled out of the upcoming Ardennes Classics due to a viral infection following Itzulia Basque Country. 

The 23-year-old took to the start line of Itzulia Basque Country on April 6, returning to action after crashing out of Paris-Nice.  

Ayuso was unable to be a factor in the GC battle, abandoning the race mid-way through stage 4 due to stomach issues. Following medical tests after the race, Lidl-Trek have confirmed that Ayuso has suffered a viral infection, which will rule him out of the upcoming Ardennes Classics.

"Unfortunately Juan Ayuso will miss the upcoming Ardennes Classics," confirmed Lidl-Trek on social media. "Medical tests after Itzulia Basque Country showed a recent viral infection and the Spaniard is not yet ready to return to competition."

Ayuso made a strong start to life at Lidl-Trek by winning a stage and the GC at the Volta ao Algarve. Things looked to be continuing in a similar trend at Paris-Nice when the Spanish rider moved into the yellow jersey following the team time trial on stage 3. 

However, a crash the following day on a rain-soaked stage 4 saw him abandon, and it wasn’t until Itzulia Basque Country that he returned to racing, where he suffered a fresh setback. 

Ayuso and Lidl-Trek will now focus on the Spaniard's recovery and rebuilding towards his Tour de France preparations, where he is expected to lead the German team’s GC ambitions this July.

The next race on Ayuso's current provisional schedule is the Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes (Critérium du Dauphiné), which begins on June 7.