Spanish runners Vuelta a España will follow in 2022
Movistar will introduce a striking change to its seasonal color palette for the upcoming edition, opting for a pristine white kit accented with light blue stripes. This fresh look marks a notable departure from the team’s traditional dark blue attire and is meant to honor a beloved figure in cycling who dominated the last two decades. The decision to switch to white and the placement of names on the back reflect both a ceremonial tribute and a practical renewal for a squad that has long aimed to blend sport performance with meaningful symbolism.
Historically, Movistar has used a deep blue base with its characteristic design lines, a combination that has become instantly recognizable in pelotons around the world. In 2022, the kit design was crafted by a competition clothing supplier and features the silhouette of a celebrated rider in the sport’s lineage. The back design will carry the signatures of eight riders associated with the team, underscoring a collective moment of reflection and respect as the squad lines up for the 77th edition of the Vuelta a España. This marks the first occasion in more than a decade that Telefónica, as sponsor, has taken the lead in the race’s team presentation, prompting a complete refresh of the jersey for a podium-worthy appearance in one of the sport’s three grand tours.
A notable element of the reveal is the homage to a legendary figure within Spanish cycling. The jersey’s change is described as a bold and unexpected move, one that earned additional attention from fans and media alike. Enthusiasts note the timing of a tribute that aligns with the sport’s history and a rider whose career has been marked by consistency and longevity. The phrase expressing gratitude for a storied career circulated widely among supporters who recall a period when the athlete wore the crown of the world champion and later celebrated success across a breadth of races. In the context of this season, the homage is presented not merely as a cosmetic alteration but as a signal of appreciation for the era and the athlete’s influence on the team’s identity.
In the communications surrounding the kit reveal, the team’s management and supporters emphasized the symbolic gesture: a shift in color, a display of signatures, and a reference to a storied chapter in the history of Spanish cycling. The approach blends the aesthetics of performance wear with a narrative that resonates with fans who have followed the rider’s career through classic races and grand tours. It also reflects Movistar’s ongoing commitment to celebrating its heritage while continuing to compete at the highest level in a modern, fast-moving sport.
The peloton’s standard composition remains, yet the white base is set against a backdrop that used to be dominated by darker tones. The design team, working with a renowned apparel supplier, ensured that the signature of the celebrated champion appears prominently on the back, maintaining the essential visual balance that riders and supporters have come to expect from Movistar’s kit. The 2022 version of the jersey preserves performance-driven features while introducing a cleaner, more luminous aesthetic that stands out in televised race coverage and on the roads of Europe as teams gather for the season’s decisive moments.
Eight members of Movistar contributed to presenting the new jersey during the team’s unveiling event, where the ensemble’s styling and the broader race strategy were discussed. The event served as a platform to articulate how the team plans to leverage this fresh look within the competitive dynamics of the Vuelta a España, one of cycling’s most challenging races. The roster involved in the presentation highlighted the balance between experienced leaders and rising talents who will carry the banner into the race’s varied terrains, from rolling plateaus to punishing mountain stages.
Valverde, now in his forties, has long been a central figure in Movistar’s story and a fixture in Spain’s cycling culture. While his career has seen him accumulate a remarkable number of wins across major classics and stage races, the upcoming Vuelta is widely viewed as a milestone moment in his long and storied arc. Analysts note that the race could function as a farewell or a poignant turning point in his relationship with the peloton, depending on how the season unfolds. The broader context places Valverde among the most versatile riders the sport has produced, with a resume that includes victories in one-day classics, stage races, and high-profile tours around the world. The team’s strategy and the national cycling narrative often intersect, making his presence at the Vuelta a España particularly meaningful for fans and fellow professionals alike.
Beyond the personal narrative, Movistar’s 2022 kit and its tribute are also anchored in the sport’s history of color, identity, and sponsorship. The move brings together a sense of ceremony and a practical refresh intended to energize the squad as it navigates a calendar filled with demanding races across Europe. The modern jersey design maintains functional considerations—fabric performance, aerodynamics, and comfort—while layering in a story that connects the present-day peloton with a celebrated era of competition. This alignment between performance and heritage is a hallmark of teams that aim to honor the past while pushing for continuous improvement in the future.
In sum, Movistar’s white kit for the season serves multiple purposes: a fresh visual identity that stands out in the field, a tribute to a legendary rider whose impact transcends a single race, and a reminder of the enduring connection between a cycling team and its fans. The Vuelta a España is the stage where these elements converge, offering a canvas for the team to showcase its renewed energy, strategic depth, and commitment to excellence across the sport’s most demanding routes. The road ahead remains challenging, but the new jersey symbolically binds the present squad to a storied past while signaling confidence for the races that lie ahead.