Juan Ayuso to miss Vuelta a España with Autumn programme built around Worlds

The 22-year-old Spaniard, who was forced to abandon the Giro d'Italia during the 18th stage earlier this year, will instead focus on the World Championships in Rwanda as his main target for the remainder of 2025, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

Ayuso's Giro d'Italia challenge ended prematurely after he suffered a lingering knee injury from a crash on stage 9 and then sustained a swollen eye from a bee sting. Marca reports that Ayuso has since recovered and returned to training, though he will skip the upcoming Spanish national championships.

Following his comeback at San Sebastian, Ayuso will then line out at the Tour de Pologne (August 4-10), which is reportedly set to be his only stage race for the remainder of the season. 

Despite Ayuso's desire to compete at his home Grand Tour, UAE Emirates-XRG management has decided against including Ayuso in their Vuelta line-up. Ayuso placed third overall on his Vuelta debut in 2022 and fourth a year later.

With the Vuelta now off his calendar, Ayuso has shifted his focus to the World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda on September 28. His build-up to the event includes appearances at both Canadian WorldTour races - the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec (September 12) and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal (September 14).

His season will continue after the World Championships with the European Championships in the Ardèche region of France on October 5, before concluding at Il Lombardia on October 11.