Miguel Ángel López announces new team for 2021
The Colombian star is leaving Astana as the team can’t afford him


Miguel Ángel López has confirmed he will race for Movistar from 2021.
López, who finished sixth in the 2020 Tour de France, will be leaving Astana after six seasons as the team can’t afford his salary any longer.
The 26-year-old Colombian has signed a one-year deal with Spanish WorldTour team Movistar, where he will race alongside the likes of Enric Mas and Alejandro Valverde.
Announcing the move, López said: “I’m so happy to be part of one of the most important teams in the world of cycling. As I’ve always done, I’ll try to achieve my fullest potential to represent the Movistar Team and the people of Colombia in the best possible way. This has always been a very significant team for my home fans and a crucial factor for the growth of the sport in Latin America, so I’m excited to join them next year.”
López has been knocking on the door of Grand Tour success in recent years finishing third in both the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España.
His Tour de France debut earlier this year also saw him very nearly secure a third podium in a three-week race, but his poor time trial on the penultimate stage left him in sixth overall.
But with victories in a number of prestigious week-long stage races, including Tour Colombia, the Volta a Catalunya, and the Tour de Suisse, Movistar hope Lopez will be another contender for Grand Tours.
Team manager Eusebio Unzue said: “Miguel Ángel López’s signing marks a really important addition to our men’s team. Having him aboard, we’ll not only enjoy the services of an experienced rider of great results, but also the style of racing from someone who always conceives this sport on the attack, trying to catch the rivals by surprise.
>>> Wout van Aert: Sometimes I wonder what I’m doing to myself with this busy programme
“He’s someone who knows well what it takes to step onto the podium of the Grand Tours, and who’s achieved important victories in one-week stage races. His addition to the team further bolsters our potential for the big tours in 2021.”
As the 2021 season fast approaches, a number of teams are making late signings, including NTT Pro Cycling who have only just secured their future with new sponsorship.
The team, which will be known as Qhubeka-Assos next year, have just announced the signing of three additional riders to their roster - Simon Clarke from EF Pro Cycling, Dimitri Claeys from Cofidis and Kilian Frakiny from Groupama-FDJ.
Clarke said: "I’m really thrilled to be taking on a new challenge with Team Qhubeka-Assos.
"In one way, this is a sort of homecoming in that my father is South African and I’ve always felt some sort of deeper interest and pull towards the team.
"The opportunity to find out more and contribute to the amazing work that the Qhubeka Charity does is truly unique, and the South African side of my family is already pushing me to ensure that I get the pronunciation correct – so I have some work to do!"
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex is the digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter and now as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output.
Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) and joining CW in 2018, Alex has covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.
Away from journalism, Alex is a national level time triallist, avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
The general classification just got even tighter: Five talking points from stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia 2022
There was climbing, climbing, and more climbing on Tuesday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Wider S-Works Torch replaces popular Specialized shoes - and our tech writers had very different first impressions
Wider, lighter, more comfortable and better looking - here's the story behind the development of the S-Works Torch plus our first ride impressions
By Simon Smythe • Published
-
'Winning has become harder in women’s cycling,' says Annemiek van Vleuten
Dutch rider pleased to have the confidence to attack twice to take Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes victory
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Annemiek Van Vleuten back to form taking a battling solo win at Liège-Bastogne-Liège
The Movistar rider took a tenacious win with repeated attacks, finally going clear on the final classified climb riding solo for 10km
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Alejandro Valverde: Second place at Flèche Wallonne 'is worth as much as a victory'
Spaniard finishes on podium for eight time in final time up Mur de Huy
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Breakaway caught agonisingly close to the line as Emma Norsgaard wins a tense Le Samyn des Dames
A two woman breakaway was caught with only 150m to go as the Danish rider takes a fourth season win for Movistar in southern Belgium
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Van Vleuten continues stellar 2022 with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad victory
Vollering outwitted into second place as her compatriot takes a second win in the Classics season opener
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Gabriel Cullaigh signs for Saint Piran: 'Hopefully the results will come and I will jump back up to the WorldTour'
The Briton hopes to follow in the same footsteps as his peer James Shaw in bouncing back
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
'I had thoughts of just packing it all in': Gabriel Cullaigh's lonely experience and rejection with Movistar
The Yorkshireman explains why he was unable to deliver on the promise he showed at U23 level
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
American Matteo Jorgenson is on a path of discovery to find out what bike rider he really is: 'my place in cycling is changing a bit'
One half of Idaho's WorldTour duo talks off-season adventures and future endeavours
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published