Tadej Pogačar and Juan Ayuso will start their pre-season in Alicante
Alicante province has long been a favored setting for cycling, offering ideal weather and varied terrain that attract teams year after year. The international squads begin their pre-season preparations in this region, using the roads and climate to build strength and refine tactics for the year ahead.
Two teams, Movistar and UAE Emirates, have intensified their camps since last weekend, choosing Calpe and La Nucía as bases, respectively. From now through January 20 and 21, cyclists will engage in rigorous physical and technical testing across the Alicante routes. The goal remains the same: to climb the podiums and chase victory in 2024, with key stage races such as the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España on the horizon.
Tadej Pogačar and Juan Ayuso will start their pre-season friendly matches in Alicante
Movistar arrived in Calpe last Sunday, signaling a season focused on a strong return for longtime stalwart Nairo Quintana, who rejoins the squad to chase grand tours and major stage wins alongside established leaders.
‘Punished’ Nairo Quintana returns to Movistar
The plan places Quintana in a leadership role with Enric Mas. The Colombian rider is expected to compete in the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España, with the Mallorcan aiming for triumphs in both the Mallorcan Tour and the Vuelta as well.
Movistar’s season trajectory has seen it reach 45 campaigns at the elite level of world cycling. This campaign also sees Rémi Cavagna, Davide Formolo, and Pelayo Sánchez join the team, reinforcing a roster that has historically been strong on both climbing and sprinting fronts. Alejandro Valverde remains a key figure, having retired from full-time competition but contributing to the technical team and maintaining an active training regimen.
Alejandro Valverde, support
Valverde’s presence highlights Movistar’s continuity, as the team preserves vast experience while integrating new talents. In addition, Quintana’s return is framed by a close-knit group that has shared many seasons together, including pivotal races that shaped their careers.
Meanwhile, UAE Emirates arrived in La Nucía on Sunday, settling at the Barceló La Nucía Hills hotel. The setup mirrors last year’s base, and it promises a productive pre-season for the team with a squad designed to support Pogačar’s goals for the season ahead.
The team’s star, Slovenian Tadej Pogačar, who won the Tour de France in 2020 and 2021, has expressed the intention of reclaiming the top spot. His calendar is still taking shape, but participation in the Tour is assured, with a possible choice between the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta depending on the plan for the year. Juan Ayuso from Alicante is also expected to be a central figure in the lineup.
The staff under Joxean Fernández “Matxín” has been significantly strengthened to back Pogačar’s efforts in the Tour. The roster now includes Pavel Sivakov from Ineos, Nils Politt from Bora-Hansgrohe, Filippo Baroncini from Lidl-Trek, Spaniards Igor Arrieta and Antonio Morgado, and Mexican climber Isaac del Toro, the recent winner of the Tour del Porvenir. UAE Emirates also unveiled their new jersey during the La Nucía concentration, signaling the team’s refreshed identity for the upcoming season.
Tadej Pogacar in his new UAE Emirates jersey UAE EMIRATES TEAM
As the days unfold, cycling fans in Alicante will have ample opportunities to catch their idols up close. The two teams plan a variety of events with sponsors, many of which will be open to the public, giving supporters a rare glimpse into the pre-season drills and team dynamics that drive performance across a demanding season.