Team Emirates rider Ayuso takes Tour de Romandie lead

American rider Brandon McNulty won the Tour de Romandie third stage individual time-trial on Friday as his UAE Team Emirates team-mate Juan Ayuso took the overall lead.

Ahead of Saturday’s decisive Queen stage in the high mountains McNulty was fortunate to cover the 15.5km course before the rain arrived.

“Yeah it’s my first win here so I’m very happy, I had a good day and was lucky to go before the bad weather,” said the American.

Belgian rookie Thibau Nys the overnight leader finished way down the field after his exertions Thursday in an all day escape took their toll.

The yellow jersey was taken by the 21-year-old Spaniard Ayuso who appears perfectly suited to go on and win the Tour in the mountains as the UAE prodigy continues to emerge from the shadow of the team’s top rider Tadej Pogacar.

Ilan Van Wilder is second at seven seconds and Alexandr Vlasov third at 10sec, with Carlos Rodriguez and Lenny Martinez rounding out the top five.

Ayuso said at the start he was hoping to “take time back before on Saturday” and he achieved that, taking all the time back and then some.

“It was a very hard TT and I think everybody suffered on it. All my teammates said they found it really tough when they got back to the bus so mentally I was prepared for that. Personally I didn’t have great sensations but I think I managed to control my effort and push in the right places.

“In the wet it was quite tricky and I had to take a few risks. I think I’m in a good position on GC and hope we can hold on for a few more days and take home the GC. Quite a few guys are within a minute so we still have a lot of work to do to be able to win this race,” he added.

Another up-and-coming all-rounder Frenchman Martinez was 16th on the day but was delighted with his overall fifth at 23sec, and his prospects given his 52kg weight and the mountain stage ahead.

“That was a good day’s work, yes we lost time to McNulty but he raced in the dry. I put in a good shift and I’m looking forwards to tomorrow,” said the 20-year-old FDJ man.

Saturday’s run to Leysin features five climbs and two of them are category ascents including the final 14 kilometres long ascent to the finish line averaging six percent.

The top three across the line also gain time bonuses Saturday.

Meanwhile, at Vuelta Asturias Isaac Del Toro continued to show his talent with a solo stage victory in opener of the race.

The Mexican, 20, broke away over the final climb at -10km to the line and held the gap to the line, with his teammate Rafal Majka taking 2nd 1 minute behind.

Del Toro: “I had really good sensations today and the team believed in me and gave me the opportunity to go for the win.

“When I attacked I knew I had Majka covering the attacks behind so that was a big plus and shows the strength of our team and how well we ride together. I’m really happy with the victory and we will try and defend the lead to the end.”