Cycling: For many years, the Movistar team has been an integral part of road cycling. But last season there were no successes. Looking at the squad for 2021, we dare to predict that things will go up again.
Movistar 2020: Just one WorldTour success
A little over a year ago, we predicted a difficult season for the Movistar team in the same place. Around 13 months later, we find that our expectations were even too positive with our forecast. Because in 2020 the traditional team only managed to win a single race at WorldTour level. Marc Soler was allowed to cheer on the second stage of the Vuelta a Espana. It was he who won the Pollença-Port d'Andratx Trofeo earlier in the year, giving Movistar both wins of the season. There weren't many other reasons to be happy. Only 10 more podium places could be occupied. old master Alejandro Valverde was responsible for 4 of them. With the now 40-year-old, age is slowly making itself felt. He is certainly to be made the slightest reproach. Also Enric Mas Nicolau no blame can be assigned. The Spaniard had a great debut year at Movistar, finishing 5th overall in the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana.
Transfers: Lopez brings hope
After such a weak year, Movistar had to become active on the transfer market. With Jürgen Roelandts, Carlos Betancur, Eduard Prades and Edward Sepulveda 4 over 29 professionals leave the team. They have not been able to ensure success in the recent past. Above all, the development of the actually highly talented Carlos Betancur was a single disappointment. In return, 5 drivers join the team, of which at least 3 should be emergency aid.
The king transfer is undoubtedly called Miguel Angel Lopez. The Colombian is one of the strongest climbers in the peloton. At only 26, he still has his prime ahead of him. And in the past he has already been anything but unsuccessful. In this season alone he impressed with a stage win in the Tour de France and 6th place overall. He can get by with support in the mountains Gregor Muehlberger hope. The Austrian has been a loyal helper in the Bora – hansgrohe team in recent years. At Movistar he is now hoping for a little more freedom, which he should also get if the team management makes clever tactical decisions. The same applies to Ivan Garcia. The Spaniard is considered a man for one-day races and a stage hunter in tours. He can win tough stages from a breakaway group as well as sprinting in a depleted group. countryman Gonzalo serrano comes from Caja Rural and is still a relatively unknown rider on the WorldTour, although he has already had some good results. In 2020, for example, he won a stage at the Ruta del Sol. The list of newcomers is completed by Abner Gonzalez. The 20-year-old Puerto Rican is considered a strong time trialist and signed directly for three years.
Movistar 2021: It can only get better
In 2021, too, Team Movistar will have to adjust to not playing first fiddle in the WorldTour. Nevertheless, the season will be significantly better than the previous one. One could say cynically: It can't get any worse. But with the transfers, the team management took exactly the right step. The team has been rejuvenated, equipped with a lot of talent and significantly strengthened. In the person of Miguel Angel Lopez you now have one of the strongest ranking and mountain riders on the scene. Since we from Alejandro Valverde can no longer expect miracles, this newcomer is simply worth its weight in gold. Might continue to mature Marc Soler. The Spaniard is gradually developing into a good GC driver. The same applies to compatriots Enric Mas. After two fifth places in the overall rankings of the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana, he must attack the podium in the coming years. So Movistar fans can start the new season with peace of mind, even if the upheaval will last through the next transfer window.
You can find the full squad of the Movistar team HERE.
🚴♂️🌳🏔 Following our Classics roster over their day five ride at the #MovistarTeam2021 training camp in Almeria. Lovely, strong group 💪
ⓜ️ @ivan_cortina, @ImanolErviti,@SebastianMoraV, @johanjacbs, @MathiasNorsgaar, J. Hollmann, @LluisMasBonet, @gonzaloserrano9, @GabzCullaigh pic.twitter.com/1FSrcPHWVm
- Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) January 13, 2021
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