Juan Ayuso and Mads Pedersen to lead Lidl-Trek at the Tour de France

The Spaniard joined Lidl-Trek in one of the most high-profile transfers of the year after freeing himself from his contract with UAE Team Emirates-XRG.

Speaking to reporters in Denia, Ayuso confirmed that he will be joined in the Lidl-Trek team by Mads Pedersen, who was omitted from the team this year in favour of Jonathan Milan, who won the green jersey.

Ayuso’s lone previous Tour appearance came in 2024, when he raced in support of Pogacar but abandoned due to COVID-19. His stated objective will be to finish on the podium in Paris.

“I won’t say that winning the Tour is not realistic, but we also have to know where we are,” Ayuso said. “For the team and for me, this is a long-term project. We have to set goals that are high but realistic. I’ve never done the Tour de France for myself, and as a first step, we should go for the podium.”

Ayuso began his press conference by reading a statement thanking UAE Team Emirates-XRG for his time at the team, outlining that he would not answer any questions about his fractious departure from the squad. 

The Spaniard had compared the team to a “dictatorship” when they announced his departure during this year’s Vuelta a España.

Asked if he could beat Pogacar at the Tour, Ayuso said: “Seeing Tadej and his level, if he maintains it, then normally for 2026, there is a gap between us.”

Pedersen will target the points classification as he looks to complete a full set of Grand Tour classifications. “Our goals can work simultaneously, and we can help each other,” Ayuso said.

Ayuso will start his season at the Volta ao Algarve before riding Paris-Nice, Itzulia Basque Country, Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Dauphiné ahead of the Tour.

Mattias Skjelmose will ride the Tour in support of Ayuso. The winner of the Amstel Gold Race in 2025 will also ride Paris-Nice and Itzulia Basque Country with Ayuso, and will target the Ardennes Classics and World Championships in Montréal, Canada, also.

"I would like to be the leader, but that's the team's decision. They explained it to me, and I'm not going to challenge it." Skjelmose reacted on not being the leader at the Tour de France for Lidl-Trek in 2026.