New blood to revitalize the veteran team, which on Thursday, at the Palacio de Ciudad de las Artes in Valencia, presented the new season. Movistar, in its modernization process, strengthens with five experienced signings: Belgian Cian Uijtdebroeks (22 years old), Czech Pavel Novak (21), and Spaniards Raúl García Pierna (24), Roger Adrià (27), and Juanpe López (28).
In this quintet, the presence of Uijtdebroeks stands out, ready to face the general classifications in the grand tours. A remarkable climber and time trialist, he was a domestique for Jonas Vingegaard at Visma. He won the 2022 Tour de l'Avenir, finished eighth, and was the second best young rider in the 2023 Vuelta a España. He withdrew from the 2024 Giro d'Italia due to illness when he was in the top 5. This season, he triumphed in the Tour de l'Ain. The versatile Belgian has signed with Eusebio Unzué's team until 2029.
"Now, I am at a point in my career where my development as a general classification rider in the grand tours has become essential. Movistar's support will be crucial," says the cyclist based in Andorra. Alongside Enric Mas, Nairo Quintana, and Juanpe López, he will share leadership in the Vuelta, Giro, and Tour. Iván Romero will be the main asset for time trials.
Raúl García Pierna, trained at Alberto Contador's academy, joins Movistar after honing his skills at Arkéa. He climbs well and knows how to choose breakaways. He was the Spanish time trial champion in 2022 and has two participations in the Tour and Vuelta in his record. He has signed a contract until 2028.
Catalan Roger Adrià stood out at Kern Pharma and was hired by Red Bull-Bora to assist Primoz Roglic. He enjoys classics and this season he won the Grand Prix de Wallonie and a stage in the Vuelta a Burgos. He will be integrated into Movistar's structure until 2028.
Juanpe Lopez will bring experience and ambition. He took the spotlight in the 2022 Giro, wearing the maglia rosa for 10 days. In 2025, he won a stage and the overall classification in the Tour of the Alps. His contract ends in 2027.
Pavel Novak is a future bet, this year he was third in the Giro NextGen. He has committed for two years with Movistar.
In the women's team, led by Swiss Marlen Reusser and with promising talent like Navarrese Paula Ostiz (junior world champion in Europe), the addition of Italian Francesca Barale stands out.