'We need both to beat Vingegaard' - UAE's Vuelta double threat

UAE Team Emirates director Joxean Fernández Matxin believes the squad's dual leadership strategy with João Almeida and Juan Ayuso is necessary to give the team a chance of defeating the overwhelming favourite Jonas Vingegaard at the 2025 Vuelta a España when speaking to MARCA.

"On paper, it's quite obvious: there is one rider who stands out above the rest, and that is Vingegaard, a sure bet in the grand tours," Matxin told MARCA as the race kicked off in Turin, Italy.

"I have always respected rival teams, and I still do. Visma has a very strong squad, but races are not won with names, but with condition. Vingegaard already showed in the Tour that he is in great shape, but we will see the real condition of the others on the road," Matxin added when acknowledging that Visma | Lease a Bike is the team to beat with the big-name favourite in Vingegaard, but also that the race isn't necessarily won on paper.

The UAE director also highlighted the riders who he believed would be prevalent in the general classification battle across the three weeks, and was particularly complimentary of the in-form Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), who recently won the Donostia San Sebastián Klasikoa after getting the better of two UAE riders in Isaac Del Toro and Jan Christen in the finale.

“But I wouldn't rule out people like Giulio Ciccone, who is having a brilliant season, or riders like Tiberi, Bernal, Pellizzari or Hindley," said Matxin. "Right now, Jonas and Ciccone seem to be a step above the rest. Maybe we don't have that level, but we have the advantage of having two leaders," he added.

Matxin established that his riders will need to utilise their strength in depth with two GC leaders in Almeida and Ayuso, as well as six strong riders around them, in order to pose a major threat to Vingegaard and Visma | Lease a Bike.

“We must take advantage of it by being aggressive, moving one or the other depending on the race situation. We have put together a balanced team: climbers, all-rounders and a reinforced group for the team time trial. We want that perfect balance to respond to any scenario.

"They are ambitious, they read the race well, and they are not afraid to move. In a Vuelta with so many pitfalls, having two strong cards gives us more options than betting everything on just one. We need both of them to beat Vingegaard," said Maxtin of his two team leaders.

Almeida looked in fine form during the hilly stages in the opening week of the Tour de France, supporting Tadej Pogačar, but a crash on stage 7 led the Portuguese rider to abandon the race a few days later. 

The 27-year-old hadn’t raced since his crash until the opening stage of the Vuelta on Saturday, leaving questions around his current shape, but Matxin remained confident that the best version of Almeida will come to the fore over the next three weeks. Before the Tour crash, Almeida had enjoyed an excellent 2025, with GC victories at three WorldTour one-week stage races: Itzulia Basque Country, Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse.

“Almeida may not be at the level he showed in the Tour, but that break due to the crash may have done him good, and I am convinced that he will reach his best form here.”

For Ayuso, the preparation has been different, with the 22-year-old having raced a couple of Spanish one-day races showing mixed form, since his abandon on stage 18 at the Giro d’Italia in May. The Spanish rider was one of the pre-race favourites for the Italian Grand Tour and was in a strong position after winning stage 7 atop Tagliacozzo. Like with Almeida, Matxin remains confident that Ayuso can shine at this Vuelta.

“As for Juan, after deciding together to come to this Vuelta, he has completed a great block of training. In Donosti he lacked spark, in Getxo (a day later) he had it, although in a different context with less powerful rivals. He will be in good condition. Ayuso at 90% is a star, I have no doubt about that,” said Matxin.