Juan Ayuso claims first pro win at Circuito de Getxo

Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) claimed the first victory of his young and highly promising career on Sunday, winning the Circuito de Getxo. 

The Spaniard, who dominated the U23 Giro d'Italia last year before turning professional with UAE in the second half of 2021, has made steps forward this season but Sunday was a major milestone. 

Ayuso reached the finish of the one-day race in a four-man group and proved the fastest to raise his arms for the first time in his pro career. 

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The 19-year-old beat fellow youngster Andrea Piccolo (Androni-Drone Hopper) to the line, with Wilco Kelderman (Bora-Hansgrohe) third. Valentin Ferron (TotalEnergies) was the final member of the lead group across the line in the sprint.

Ayuso came out on top in the 77th edition of a Basque one-day race that honours the memory of the Otxoa brothers. Sunday's race covered 196.5km across six laps of a hilly circuit. 

He was aggressive throughout and, despite not managing to get rid of everyone on the short sharp climbs, still had enough in the tank to outpace the final three in the dash for the line. 

"It was incredible," Ayuso said. "I want to thank the whole team because they worked for me and believed in me. At last my first professional victory has arrived."

The victory on home soil will raise hopes in Ayuso ahead of his expected Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España.

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