UAE Team Emirates has extended Juan Ayuso's contract until the end of 2028, ensuring that the talented young Spanish rider will follow Tadey Pogachar and Brandon McNulty for the next six seasons.

Pogachar, Filippo Ganna, and Tom Pidcock all have long-term contracts through the end of 2027. However, Ayuso's new contract means that he has signed the longest contract on the World Tour. This is because the peloton's biggest teams use their financial advantage to surround their best young riders with long-term contracts.

Ayuso, 19, turned pro last summer with UAE Team Emirates after winning the Giro Baby. He was born in Barcelona but spent his childhood in Atlanta, Georgia, after his father emigrated to the United States, before returning to Spain for work. He now calls Jávea, near Alicante, his home.

Ayuso is not expected to make his Grand Tour debut in 2022, but is considered a future Grand Tour contender and a big Spanish talent alongside 21-year-old Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers).

His future rivals include Remco Evenepoel (Quick Step-Alfa Vinyl), Leo Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers), and Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ).

Ayuso showed his potential last week by winning the Circuit de Gesso. He finished fifth in the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya and fourth in the Tour de Romandie.

Ayuso faced Pogachar at the UAE Team Emirates pre-season training camp, where the Spaniard described the two-time Tour de France winner as "a reference" and said he hopes to one day match his level of success. [Training with Pogachar is a great experience. He is one of the best athletes in the world and I am lucky to run with him. Learning from him is a luxury.

"He is on another level, but he sees himself in me.

In recent days, UAE Team Emirates announced contract extensions for Rafal Mayka, Mikel Bjarg and McNulty. Diego Ulissi has also signed a new two-year contract, while Matteo Trentin, Vegard Stake Rengen, Ivo Oliveira, and Rui Oliveira have also been signed until 2023.

"Ayuso will join the team midway through 2021 and the 19-year-old is part of the team's long-term plan to develop young talent," explained UAE Team Emirates.

"This young Spanish rider will continue to develop with the Emirati team for the foreseeable future."