“I expected more from Ayuso”: Vacek discusses his teammate’s performance and criticizes the situation in Calpe

The Czech cyclist from Lidl-Trek, who has renewed with the team until 2029, has just given an interview in which he made some interesting statements about his teammate Juan Ayuso and why he has decided to settle in Motril (Granada) instead of doing so on the Costa Blanca, one of the main training centers for the international peloton.

Mathias Vacek criticizes Ayuso's performance and explains why he prefers to train in Motril rather than in Calpe

In an interview granted to MARCA, Vacek also evaluated without too many roundabout phrases Juan Ayuso's first season at Lidl-Trek, acknowledging that he expected much more from the Spaniard.

The arrival of Juan Ayuso at Lidl-Trek was one of the major moves in the transfer market. The Spaniard left UAE Team Emirates-XRG to take on a leading role in his new structure, with which he faced 2026 as one of the contenders for the Tour de France podium.

However, his first season has not fully met those expectations, and Vacek has not hidden his disappointment.

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"To be honest, I expected more from him," acknowledges the Czech, who recalls how his teammate started the year by winning the Volta ao Algarve, a result that seemed to anticipate a promising season.

From there, his performance became more irregular. Vacek believes that Ayuso did not reach the level he had previously demonstrated and points out some of the problems that may have affected his preparation.

During a training camp in Sierra Nevada, Ayuso suffered from allergy problems and ended up returning to his residence in Andorra. His teammate claims that since then, he had the feeling that something was not quite right, although he avoids pointing to a specific cause.

"I don't want to assert something I don't know," clarifies Vacek when referring to the possibility that there was some mental factor behind his performance.

The Czech also recalls what happened in the Tour de France, where he believes Ayuso arrived too worn out and ended up performing worse than Mattias Skjelmose.

Despite his criticisms, Vacek remains convinced of the Spaniard's potential and believes he can compete with the best when he finds his level.

"When he's on a good streak, he can keep up with Pogacar and the best," he asserts, although he also considers that for riders at this level, any small setback can affect confidence and ultimately condition their performance.

From Calpe to Motril: Vacek escapes the cycling overcrowding of the Costa Blanca

Beyond his assessment of Ayuso, another interesting part of the interview relates to his usual training location during the winter.

While a good part of the international peloton concentrates in towns like Calpe, Dénia, or their surroundings, Vacek has chosen to establish his winter base in Motril, on the coast of Granada.

The rider acknowledges that the Alicante area offers excellent training conditions, but he believes that the huge concentration of professional and amateur cyclists has become a drawback.

"In Calpe, the entire peloton trains, all the cyclists from all the teams. I prefer something more private," he explains.

For Vacek, having peace during his training sessions is especially important. He seeks roads where he can ride alone, without constantly encountering other cyclists or groups that join his wheel.

Moreover, he warns that the popularity of the Costa Blanca as a cycling destination is also generating situations he considers dangerous.

"There are very narrow roads, and some cyclists think the road is theirs, which causes accidents," he asserts.

This is a personal perception that contrasts with that of many other professionals who have made this part of Alicante their second home.

One of the best examples is Mathieu van der Poel, who spends a good part of the year in Marina Alta. The Dutchman even acknowledged that moving to Spain may have been the best investment of his life, highlighting the climate, tranquility, and the opportunity to enjoy long training days.

His relationship with the area goes even further than sports preparation. In the documentary This is Home, produced by Shimano, Van der Poel recalls that he also considers Spain his home, showcasing his life and training on the roads of Moraira and its surroundings.

Vacek, on the other hand, has found in the Granada coast the environment he seeks to prepare for his seasons. The Czech highlights the good roads, less traffic, and especially the possibility of training with fewer cyclists around.