Analysis: The three great signings of the Movistar team for 2023: Romeo, Guerreiro and Gaviria

Rumors have been circulating for the past few days in the platoon about the new signings of Movistarr has come true. Wednesday’s phone training heralded the hiring of three new cyclists with very different characteristics between them. The first to be recognized was that of the young man from Valladolid Ivan Romeo (19 years old), great rider, pure power and one of the great hopes of Spanish cycling. Then followed by the Portuguese climber Ruben Guerrero (28 years old) and finally announced the Colombian sprinter Fernando Gaviria (28 years). The first two signs for the structure of covers until December 31, 2025, while Gaviria does so until December 31, 2023.

Gaviria arrived at Movistar team after four years at UAE Team Emirates by Tadej Pogacar and there is no doubt that this is the most ‘puzzling’ and at the same time the ‘exciting’ signing of the Navarra formation, due to the characteristics of the runner himself, a pure sprinter, and the characteristics of the team in which he ends up, which is not exactly prevailed so far sprint arrivals. the of The eyebrowswho did not finish the last four races he participated in, and achieved only two victories this year, both in Tour of Oman last February, he will look to fly in blue formation and once again show his best condition as a sprinter, which led him to win four stages in Italy is spinning of 2017 and two of the Tour de France of 2018.

“Signing for Movistar is a new challenge, for me personally and also safely for the team as a whole. I come to a team of very high prestige, which in turn and until now is focused on climbers. That they trust me, that I’m a sprinter, gives me extra motivation, for trying to represent a team of this size, with this history, where many important cyclists from the international squad are on board. I’m glad can aim to help the team in that regard. The most important thing for 2023 is to fit in well with the team and fight for as many races as possible”, said Gaviria.

Gaviria in the plains and warrior at the mountain. The Portuguese arrived Movistar from EF Education Then record your class at UAE Toursin Dauphiné Criteriumin Tour of Burgos or to Mont Ventouxwhere he achieved his only victory of the season and the third of his professional career, since making his debut in 2015 in the ranks of Axeon Cycling Team. Explosive and climbing, one of the Montijo This is a bet by Movistar, both thinking about the mountains and general grand tours, as he himself pointed out in the statements filed by Movistar.

“Movistar team This is a team that I have always admired since I was little, one of my favorites, and having the opportunity to join them makes me happy and motivates me. I want to confirm my qualities as a cyclist; I don’t think I’ve reached the maximum of my abilities yet and I think the next few years could be the best of my cycling life. I have high expectations for these next three seasons and I want to get the best out of myself as a climber, whether competing in Grand Tours or in week-long races or competing in tough one-day events like in the Ardennes, which I like it very much. A maximum challenge for the future? I hope I can fight to make a good overall in a Giro d’Italia or La Vuelta, two of my favorite races”.

One of the pearls of the Spanish platoon

Without a doubt, Movistar’s greatest future is the youth Ivan Romeo, because of its youth (19 years old), the quality it possesses and its amazing conditions that make it a great rider. A very complete and powerful runner -193 cm tall-, Ivan trained as a cyclist in schools of the Arroyo de la Encomienda Cycling Clubled by an ‘ex’ member of the Abarca structure as Juan Carlos Dominguez. He ran as a cadet in the ranks of NorInverthen go through Asturian MMR Cycling Academy -won two junior national titles in the line and time trial in 2021- and his 2022 season finished ranked Hagens Berman North American Axeon, directed by Axel Merckx. A year in which he competed for 48 days (5,557 kilometers), where he finished as the best young man at the International Rhodes tourto work on turn baby, where he signed the 9th best position in the ranking of Championship of Spain time trial and 8th in European Championship sub23 time trial, in addition to shining on Tour of Flanders Tomorrow. The pucelano is a clear commitment to the future and illusion, as indicated by his words after confirming his signing of the Navarran formation:

“I’m really looking forward to starting not only 2023, but all the previous preparations for the season with the team, which is coming soon. For me it’s the fulfillment of a dream, one of the biggest I’ve always had since I was young . In the end I grew up watching this team, and being a part of it was incredible. Until I saw myself in colors that I don’t think I would believe yet (laughs). I was very- demanding of myself and I want to improve every day; give the best version of myself and contribute to the team from the first moment in whatever is asked of me. If one day I aspire to win a race, try to achieve it , and if one day I have to help, work. Giving whatever is needed, in other words, is the great short-term goal I have.”

These are three of the new cyclists who will compete in the Movistar Team from next year, with the Murcian no longer Alexander Valverde.