SerpApi.Org
Lidl-Trek head into the final mountain stages of the Tour de France with both of their leaders in the top 10 on GC and both men hoping to do battle for a podium position.
Spanish racer Juan Ayuso is also in contention for the white jersey, with a three-way battle between him, Paul Seixas, and Isaac del Toro on the cards as the race hits the Alps.
He lies in fifth overall, 2:31 down on Del Toro's third place and 2:11 behind Seixas. Lidl-Trek co-leader Mattias Skjelmose is sixth, a further 52 seconds off the podium.
Ayuso, however, has lost time on both recent GC days, the climb to the Plateau de Solaison and the stage 16 time trial. Speaking to ES Ciclismo, he said that he and his Danish teammate would try to move up the standings over the next three days.
"Both Skjelmose and I are in a position where we can't go much further backwards, and if it happens, well, it wouldn't be a tragedy," Ayuso said.
"We have to try to move forward, but for that, we also need the strength to do it."
The upcoming stages include today's summit finish at Orcières-Merlette and double finishes at L'Alpe d'Huez. Ayuso and Skjelmose will aim for the white jersey and the podium, with the Dane on the up. He was 4:34 away from third place before stages 15 and 16, and now lies 3:23 off Del Toro.
The pair will also be looking to help their team battle for the team classification with UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Following stage 17 to Voiron, which saw Lidl-Trek finish with three riders in the lead breakaway group, the team heads to the Alps with a far stronger 18:10 lead over their rivals.
"We'll see what situations arise and if we can take advantage of them," Ayuso said of stage 18.
"I think the next stages will be decided by elimination, and I believe there could be some very big explosions, and I include myself in that.
"I could also crack and lose a lot of time, but so could Seixas, Del Toro, or anyone else. We have to be there and seize any opportunity."
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