
Just four months after his exit from UAE Team Emirates-XRG emerged in the midst of high drama in the Vuelta a España, Juan Ayuso's debut in Lidl-Trek colours at a significantly overhauled version of the Volta ao Algarve this February will see the Spanish champion take on his former squad for the first time in Portugal's premier week-long stage race.
Anticipation will be high, too, given Ayuso is set to face off against one of the top racers at UAE Team Emirates, João Almeida, just when Almeida is battling to go one better than his second place overall behind 2025 winner Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).