“Ayuso is prepared, but I don’t like to press because winning a turn at 22 is very difficult”

Alberto Contador He sits with MARK To break down the secrets of the 2025 Giro, the great return that best knows and more excites him. The Madrid repeats this year as a luxury analyst at Eurosport y Maxplatforms that will offer the full race with innovative coverage: live signals from motorcycles and helicopter, multipant visualization and access to key moments thanks to time markers. In addition, it will co -challenge ‘La Montonera’ next to Laura Meseguer.

What sensations do you have in the previous one of this turn?

I face it with great enthusiasm. Italy’s turn is probably the career I enjoy the most. In addition, Eurosport has exclusive broadcast. I prepare, of course: review the participation, the tour, I identify the key stages … but I think what I can contribute most is to have lived the race from within, three times and always disputing it. That allows me to offer a perspective that is not always taken into account. The turn is the career in which the experience is the most important: because of its orography, for weather … maintains the purest essence of cycling.

He was the last Spaniard to win it, in 2015. Now, Juan Ayuso looks like a real candidate. How do you see it?

I really like his mentality, that of absolute rooster. I think it is essential to visualize at the top of the podium to achieve it. If you don’t believe it, it’s impossible. There are those who say it openly and those who keep it, but Juan has that winning mentality. It reminds me of when I was youthful or sub-23 and dreamed of the Elysee fields. I followed him on TV, closed his eyes and saw me there. I think that way of visualizing the goal helped me a lot.

“Ayuso has the most important thing: champion mentalityBrand Accountant

But do not believe that this character has also sometimes harmed him, as in the past Tour de France?

I think it was a different context. Now it goes with a very powerful team: Adam Yates, McNulty … has clear options and pressure, of course, because we have to meet. But I think he is prepared.

“Visualizing victory is the first step to achieve itBrand Accountant

Are we facing a ‘all against Roglic’?

Yes. Roglic has won four laps, a turn … five big turns. That is not achieved only with talent. Experience is also needed, knowing how to make decisions at limit moments, with the body to the limit. And that weighs a lot. And there the balance is inclined for Primoz. There are many champions at the exit: Carapaz, Bernal, Nairo, Hindley … But the rival to beat, for everything he has won and how he manages, is Roglic. Of course, the turn is the race where the strategy enters the most.

Recently, an ex from Sky talked about the “anti -anticipator method.” Can a similar plan be applied against Pogacar or Roglic?

It depends a lot on the tour. In the tour, with long and trains like Sky, it was very difficult to break the control. But in the turn or in lavuelta, with tougher stages, it is easier to do so. Anti-Roglic or anti-poet? Man, Pogacar has a team, as seen in Galibier last year. If the leader is superior, and his team too, you can do little beyond trying to minimize losses. Roglic also arrives here with a team.

Do you think I would have given better in this cycling so measured by data?

I don’t believe it. In my case I was already taking care of the millimeter. Maybe other colleagues not so much, but I got to measure almost breathing. What has changed is that now there are many more objective data: you know which gel feels better to you, how long it takes to absorb it, what temperature you need to perform to the maximum … before you had to listen to your body. And I liked that, because if you had that sensitivity, you could make differences.

His partner Jesús Hernández commented on Radio Marca that took hot water with oatmeal to combat hunger in concentrations. Any trick?

Yes. I took the coffee maker, but to do soup. And maybe he took some fruit. And he was always the last to give me the massage. Because? Because that way he occupied that critical time before dinner, the 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., which is when you spend more hunger. Being on the stretcher helped me endure. Now the diets are different, very scientific: so many carbohydrates per hour, etc. Before you had to train the body to perform with fat, and it was really hungry. Now that hunger does not happen.

With Landa I really suffered in the turn I won in 2015Brand Accountant

What can be expected from your team, Polti, in this turn? And by Davide Piganzoli?

I don’t like to throw high, but Piganzoli should be in the Top-10 unless something extraordinary happens. It has a speed tip and is very well prepared. The team has made concentrations both in the Teide and Sierra Nevada. For stages, Lonardi can also surprise the Sprint. I think the team will have enough prominence.

Now some say that Ayuso will be the new Alberto, at least because he can win the turn as he did a decade ago. Regarding the comparison, do you think Enric Mas affected you when you said it would be the new accountant?

I don’t think it would harm him. Enric is above that and knows that this is a professional sport. Regarding Ayuso, he has a great opportunity, but winning is very difficult. We cannot put the pressure to have to win with 22 years. The one who wants to do it most is him, no doubt.

“Piganzoli is prepared to enter the top-10 of the turnBrand Accountant

Do you dare with a podium?

I don’t play it. In the turn everything can happen. Everything is decided at the end and a bad day costs you minutes. But there are other Spaniards such as Landa or Pelllo Bilbao who can also be there. In 2015, for example, Landa put me against the ropes. The race is very open. That is why I think it is the most attractive great return of the year.

Did you thank Mikel ever not to burst that race for AU? Have you talked about this? Did your ‘Maglia’ be in danger?

We did not speak it, but there were days when it was very strong. In Fintere, although he had allergy, and in the mortirolo, he looked left over. Luckily for me, Aru had a bad day and I could play with those differences. But Mikel walked a barbarity.