Movistar presented itself with 10 signings, Enric Mas as leader and the return of Quintana

Movistar, the only Spanish squad in the World Tour, will face the 2024 season with sights set on the grand tours, renewed with 10 signings, including the Colombian Nairo Quintana, who returned to “home” after 4 years, and with the leadership for another year of Enric Mas.

With 18 victories in 2023, far from the 36 achieved in 2016, the glorious year of Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana, Movistar leaves the squad with 10 new faces, along with the coaching staff, where Patxi Vila leaves and Iván joins Velasco and Xabier Muriel.

“A special day for the presentation of the team and for the farewell of our flag of women’s cycling, Annemiek Van Vleuten, an example of ambition and success,” commented José María Álvarez Pallete, executive president of Telefónica.

But, the leader is still a year away

Enric Mas (Artá, 28 years old), will be the reference of Movistar in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España. An undisputed captaincy after the failed signing of Carlos Rodríguez. The team is waiting for Movistar’s big jump after a three-second place in the Spanish round.

“The goal is the Tour, I hope I was unlucky last year with the preliminary fall. It’s a big responsibility to wear M for Movistar. I hope it goes well in the Tour,” said the Spaniard.

Along with Mas, he emphasized the figure of the cyclist who brought the most glory to Movistar in the last decade, Nairo Quintana.. A winner of the Vuelta and Giro d’Italia, as well as two second places in the Tour de France. The boyacense He returned home at 33 years old, ready to regain his best level. Besides, It will be one of the team’s main assets for the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España.

Movistar will not forget the spring classicsand for them they will continue to have runners like Alex Aranburu and Ivan García Cortina. While waiting to fly, Colombian climber Einer Rubio. The clearest hope lies in the champion of Spain Oier Lazkano and the European medalist Ivan RomeoBesides others.

Rojas, Erviti and Lluis Mas were also there

The presentation gala was attended by references from the team such as José Joaquín Rojas from Murcia, Imanol Erviti from Navarre, and Lluis Mas from the Balearic Islands, who retired this season. Sensitive drops.

“Years where I wasn’t the leader, but for a leader to win, a good team is needed. It’s fun to work for Movistar. The M of Movistar should be taken to heart and worn with pride,” said Rojas.

Among the sensitive losses are Carlos Verona, Matteo Jorgenson and Max Kanter, but other runners have arrived that invigorate the telephone squad, whose company will celebrate the Centennial in 2024.

Cavagna, Formolo and many youngsters: the signatories

The a total of 10 runners signed upis committed to experience and youth to face new challenges.

Undoubtedly, the most notable addition is that of Nairo Quintana. He returned to Movistar after a year without competing after testing positive for Tramadol at the 2022 Tour. He is with the French Arkea, but he has not been with them since the start of the 2022 Vuelta.

“I’m going home with joy and enthusiasm. Movistar has given me everything for the past decade, and now I come back with responsibility and the desire to do well. I’m very grateful,” said Quintana.

The Italian David Formoloa climber from the UAE who worked for Pogacar, Ayuso and Almeida, and the French Remi Cavagnaincorporated from Evenepoel’s Soudal-Quick Step, are important reinforcements.

More Italians with Manlio Moroa track with aspirations to the Paris 2024 Games, David Cimolaia climber from Cofidis, and Lorenzo Milesibrand new time trial world champion in the under 23 category.

From the Spanish platoon, Movistar has recruited Pelayo Sánchezformer Burgos BH, Carlos Canal, former Euskaltel, eleventh in the U23 World Cup, Javier Romo and Jon Barrenetxea.