Movistar deny Chris Froome transfer rumours, despite Spanish pro's enthusiasm for the move
‘In Spain you will eat very well and have very good coverage’
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Movistar have denied the rumours that Chris Froome could be seeking a mid-season transfer to the Spanish WorldTour team, despite the enthusiasm of some Spanish pros.
According to a recent report from Cycling News (opens in new tab), Froome is in discussions over a potential change of team while the racing season is suspended due to coronavirus.
Rumours have linked the four-time Tour de France winner with a number of teams, including Israel Start-Up Nation who have not denied their interest, while Team Ineos have dismissed the speculation as “fake news.”
Reports recently suggested that Movistar, currently home to Alejandro Valverde, were one of the teams interested in signing Froome, but according Spanish newspaper Marca (opens in new tab) that the team is now denying the rumours.
A Movistar spokesperson said: “Froome today is not a possibility for 2020.”
But the possibility of Froome joining Movistar was met with enthusiasm from some Spanish pros, including José Joaquín Rojas.
Rojas tweeted: “My friend you know that in Spain you will eat very well and you will have very good coverage.”
Froome says he is back to his best after suffering awful injuries in a crash during last year’s Critérium du Dauphinè.
The 35-year-old is targeting a fifth Tour de France victory this year, if the Tour de France goes ahead on its rescheduled start on August 29.
It’s possible that the talk of Froome’s transfer stemmed from his agent, as he looks for a contract renewal with Team Ineos at the end of 2020, as his current deal with the team comes to an end.
But in recent years Froome has been forced to sacrifice his leadership responsibilities to his team-mates, first to Geraint Thomas mid-way through the 2018, then to Egan Bernal last year when his injuries forced him to skip the race.
>>> Any room for Froome: Which other team could be a good fit for the four-time Tour winner?
Reports have also suggested his leadership for the 2020 Tour is not guaranteed.
Thank you for reading 10 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 Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former 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, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex 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 the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Saudi Tour 2023: Simone Consonni powers to stage five win, Ruben Guerreiro wraps up overall victory
Italian Consonni outsprinted Dylan Groenewegen to land an impressive victory for Cofidis
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
CW Live: Bolton Equities Black Spoke share images of new Pinarello Dogma; Rapha undergoes refinancing operation; Team GB land mixed relay silver medal at cyclo-cross worlds; Consonni wins stage five of the Saudi Tour, Guerreiro takes GC victory
All the cycling news you need this Friday
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Women’s WorldTour calendar 'a mess' and 'a nonsense' says Movistar boss
The UCI must invest in the bottom of the pyramid to ensure the sport’s future says Sebastián Unzué
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome labels WorldTour relegation a ‘death sentence for many teams’
Four-time Tour de France winner says UCI points system needs overhaul as Israel-PremierTech face relegation from the WorldTour
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Chris Froome still holds out hope for fifth Tour de France win
Israel-Premier Tech rider says the dream is "always there"
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Movistar quick to quash Mark Cavendish signing report
Italian press speculation over future of sprinter denied by Spanish team
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Van Vleuten confirms her superiority with Ceratizit Challenge GC victory
Elisa Balsamo takes the final stage bunch kick on the Madrid circuit after consummate work from Trek-Segafredo
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Silvia Persico takes Ceratizit Challenge stage victory after a tense aggressive final
Olympic champion Anna Kiesenhofer comes close to pulling off a repeat of her Tokyo triumph with a 158km solo break
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Van Vleuten in a class of her own winning the second stage of the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta
The Movistar rider attacked on the penultimate climb dropping all her rivals to take the overall lead with three stages remaining
By Owen Rogers • Published