Juan Ayuso: “I would have preferred to win the stage”

March 10 ^th 2026 - 17:41

“We were really motivated this morning. Me and the team really thought it was possible to win, and to lose for just 2 seconds, it hurts. The guys deserved the win. We did a really good job. We worked hard, training together for days like today. We had a really good strategy and we knew how to pace at every moment. I think the last part we did really well.

I wouldn’t say there’s disappointment, but a bit of sadness. I would have preferred not to have the jersey but to win the stage. Still, I’m really happy to wear yellow. It’s bike racing. There was a stronger team out there, and congrats to them. And there are more days for us to do better.

It all adds up, and it’s nice to be ahead thanks to the bonus seconds. But in Paris-Nice, things can change very quickly. Tomorrow will be bad weather and a really hard stage.”