Richard Carapaz crashes days before Vuelta a España 2019
Richard Carapaz’s participation in the Vuelta a España has been thrown into doubt after he crashed days before the opening stage.
Movistar
Spain | Team website
Having been around in some guise since 1980, the Spanish super-team have seen it all, from 13 Grand Tour wins to their fair share of doping scandals.
They got off to a slow start under Movistar sponsorship in 2011, but welcomed back Alejandro Valverde from his two-year suspension and signed young GC prospect Nairo Quintana in 2012 — and they haven’t looked back since.
Moreover, they’ve assembled a talented squad with riders who might be in contention for leadership in smaller teams, including the likes of Andrey Amador, as well as versatile sprinter Juan José Lobato and several time trial specialists in Jonathan Castroviejo, Adriano Malori and Britain’s Alex Dowsett.
For the 2017 season, Nairo Quintana led the squad at the Giro d’Italia, finishing second.
Having won the Giro d’Italia in 2014 at the age of 24, placing second in 2015 and third in 2016, Quintana has plenty of past form on the roads of Italy.
The Columbian rider was targetting a win at both the Italian Grand Tour, as well as the Tour de France for 2017. He’s listed on the Tour de France start list, of course, alongside Alejandro Valverde, Daniele Bennati, Johnathan Castroviejo and Daniel Moreno.
Nairo Quintana, Alejandro Valverde and their Movistar teammates at the Tour de France (Sunada)
The aim for 2016 was for 2014 Giro d’Italia champion Quintana to take the next step up and win the Tour de France ahead of Chris Froome (Team Sky).
He eventually finished third behind Froome and Romain Bardet (Ag2r), but can take heart from the fact he beat the former when they met several weeks later at the final Grand Tour of the year, the Vuelta a España, his second career Grand Tour win.
Their veteran stalwart Valverde maintained his incredible consistency again in 2016, riding all three Grand Tours (taking two top-10s in the Giro and the Tour) as well as adding another victory in La Flèche Wallonne to his palmarès.
While Valverde is likely to refocus his coming campaign on taking more one-day victories (with a possible ride at the Tour of Flanders), the team will undoubtedly focus their main efforts on Quintana’s goal of winning a maiden Tour title.
Movistar will also look to hold on to it’s number one team spot in the UCI WorldTour rankings, a prize they have now won in four consecutive seasons.
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Alejandro Valverde, Richard Carapaz and Nairo Quintana carry Movistar’s hopes at Vuelta a España 2019
Movistar have confirmed the trident of talent carrying their hopes at the 2019 Vuelta a España.
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Wiggins-Le Col rider Gabriel Cullaigh signs for Movistar ahead of 2020 season
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Nairo Quintana returns to take victory as Julian Alaphilippe holds yellow on stage 18 of Tour de France 2019
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Movistar boss confirms departure of Carapaz & Quintana but says Landa future still uncertain
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Alejandro Valverde says Nairo Quintana didn't mention he was feeling bad before losing time on the Tourmalet
The Colombian lost more than three minutes and saw his GC ambitions crumble
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Movistar 'lucky' not to have lost more time at Tour de France, says Nairo Quintana
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Movistar left in shock as Mikel Landa crash sends him down Tour de France overall rankings
The Spaniard is over four minutes down overall after a disastrous day at the Tour de France
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Richard Carapaz has agreed a move to Team Ineos, according to reports
The 2019 Giro d'Italia winner has apparently signed a two-year deal with the British outfit
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‘We have to attack’: Expect aggressive riding from Mikel Landa at the Tour de France after stage six failed attempt
Mikel Landa will be looking for attacking opportunities to make up time in the 2019 Tour de France.
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Movistar looking to take advantage of 'more open Tour' without Chris Froome
The Spanish team are looking to take advantage of Chris Froome's absence
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Alejandro Valverde says he’s the thinnest he’s ever been ahead of the Tour de France
World champion says he wanted to see how his body would respond to weight loss ahead of Route d'Occitanie race last month
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Police recover Movistar bike worth €14,000 after it was stolen from Spanish national championships
The perpetrators were identified quickly after Spanish police posted their photo on social media
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Movistar confirm strong line-up for Tour de France 2019
Landa and Quintana lead strong squad for the 2019 Tour
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Alejandro Valverde extends contract with Movistar until 2021
The world champion will stay on with the team until 2024 in some capacity
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Alejandro Valverde returns to racing with victory on La Route d'Occitanie opening stage
The world champion beat Eddie Dunbar to the line on the first stage of the French race
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Jakob Fuglsang has been offered to Movistar as Spanish team faces squad overhaul, according to reports
Fuglsang is one of a number of high-profile names being mentioned in what is set to be a revolving door of a transfer window for the Spanish team
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Valverde, Quintana and Landa set to ride Tour de France for Movistar
According to reports Movistar will once again ride the Tour with a trident of GC talent
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Richard Carapaz says he wants to stay with Movistar despite rumours of Team Ineos deal
Richard Carapaz says he wants to stay with Movistar following his 2019 Giro d'Italia win despite a reported €1.5m offer from Team Ineos.
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How Richard Carapaz won the Giro d'Italia 2019, according to his team
Richard Carapaz began as a back-up leader in the 2019 Giro d'Italia, but took the steps planned by Movistar to have a chance at glory.
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Nairo Quintana: I’m the Movistar leader for the Tour de France
Colombian says he's more prepared than ever to take on the Tour in 2019
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Landa attacks ‘perfect’ for GC hopes, says Richard Carapaz
Giro d'Italia leader Richard Carapaz has welcomed the attacks of his Movistar team-mate Mikel Landa as the race enters its closing phase.
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'It's obvious Nibali is the most dangerous rival': Richard Carapaz survives a tough day in pink
The Ecuadorian survived a brutal day over the Mortirolo to hold on to his overall lead at the Giro d'Italia
