Mas, Gaviria, Cortina, Cavagna…
Following the scare surrounding Carlos Rodríguez, 2024 presents a continuation of the same framework for the Navarra-based squad. Enric Mas remains the team’s anchor for grand tours, while the roster leans on a mix of sprint specialists and stage-hunting talent to fill the gaps. Gaviria and Cortina, alongside Remi Cavagna, represent strategic additions aimed at sharpening the squad’s time trials and overall versatility for the calendar.
Movistar continues to operate with the same core structure that has driven its evolution since 2020. The team nurtured a generational shift early on, bringing Mas to the fore as a leader capable of guiding the squad through the toughest battles. The departures of high-profile riders over the years—Rider names like Richard Carapaz, Mikel Landa, and Nairo Quintana, followed by Marc Soler and, eventually, Alejandro Valverde—have defined a rhythm of renewal that remains evident today.
Behind the scenes, Eusebio Unzué and his management group have attracted solid talent, always anchored by the leadership lineage that has carried Movistar through decades, from its early iterations under Reynolds to the brand’s current form. The mission has long been about continuity and steady progress, with the aim of building a cohesive unit that can compete at the very top across all terrains.
The budget remains a limiting factor, a reality that shapes transfer decisions and limits headline signings. The team is candid about its financial constraints, acknowledging that it cannot match the spending power of the sport’s wealthiest outfits. The current mood blends resignation with a calm confidence, a pragmatic view of a season ending with a modest, but meaningful, return on effort. The focus is on maximizing results within the existing framework while pursuing improvements that can lift the squad in the coming years.
Movistar logged a total of sixteen victories in the season, with only a handful coming on the WorldTour level. Some riders, such as Oier Lazkano and Einer Rubio, stepped forward and claimed notable successes, while Mas, Aranburu, and Cortina remained central figures in the fight for stage wins and strong overall results. The year after Valverde’s era closed demanded a renewed sense of purpose, and the team answered with a plan built around young talents and proven performers alike.
Movistar’s losses in 2024
The American prospect Matteo Jorgenson stood out for Movistar, with impressive performances on stage races as well as demanding cobblestone events. His progress was significant enough that Jumbo-Visma presented a more compelling offer, and the team ultimately chose to pursue other strategic goals. Other riders who faced market pressure or contract uncertainties included Carlos Verona, Oscar Rodríguez, and Max Kanter, all of whom pursued opportunities that could enhance their personal trajectories.
“My coach wanted to send my psychologist a message saying: ‘What she needs is for you to fuck her.’”
Movistar is shifting its veteran cadre, parting ways with established names and inviting a new generation to step forward. The departures include several long-time figures as well as a performance manager, as the squad aligns its personnel with an ambitious project that aims to balance reliability with fresh energy. The team’s leadership continues to weigh options and calibrate paths that might attract a second sponsor and strengthen the overall financial position for the long term.
Movistar’s signings for 2024
Two signings stand out for their potential impact. Remi Cavagna from Soudal provides proven strength in time trials and a steady presence on flat stages, potentially complementing climbers and aiding in cobbled classics. Italian Davide Formolo arrives from the UAE team as a luxury reinforcement, expected to add depth in the mountains and to lead the squad in selected stage races.
Young Spanish talents such as Jon Barrenetxea, Carlos Canal, Javier Romo, and Pelayo Sánchez join the lineup, along with 21-year-old Italian pistard Manlio Moro who will turn professional next season. Together, these riders fill a 27-man roster, with room for a few additional transfers before the team reaches the limit. The depth points toward a season where Movistar aims to maximize opportunities across all races while maintaining a clear leadership core.
We confirm the top names for Movistar’s 2024 male squad, including a mix of renewals and fresh faces, as the team looks to sustain momentum and compete with the best in the peloton. The outlook suggests a group capable of providing stability in the mountains and reliability on flat terrain, while still seizing chances in the cobbled classics and one-day events. The balance between experience and youth forms the backbone of a squad intent on growing stronger year by year.
All this unfolds while the management awaits a second sponsor to reinforce the financial and sporting heft of the Navarrese team. The goal is to escape the sense of transition that has lingered for several seasons and to build a sustainable model that can endure shifting sponsorship landscapes while remaining competitive on a global stage.