Astana hijacks Movistar Team's move for talented Uruguayan rider

The cycling transfer market is once again in full swing, as is often the case during the major tours, and this year’s Vuelta a España has already produced its first major story. In recent days, the name of Thomas Silva has taken some of the spotlight. The 23-year-old Uruguayan, currently riding for Caja Rural – Seguros RGA, looks set to make the leap to the WorldTour, with reports strongly linking him to XDS Astana Team. That move would be a major blow to Movistar Team, who had also been eyeing the young talent for 2026.

According to British journalist Daniel Benson, widely regarded as one of the most reliable voices on transfer matters, reported that Silva could sign with Astana, but this would require a three-party agreement.

For Silva, who hails from Maldonado, the opportunity is the culmination of two years of impressive results that have put him firmly on the radar of the sport’s biggest outfits. Over the last two seasons he has developed into one of the most exciting prospects outside the WorldTour, raising Uruguay’s profile on the international stage.

Among his best results in the last two years are the following:

These performances have inevitably drawn attention, and until recently Movistar Team were considered the frontrunners to secure his services. For months, outlets such as CiclismoAlDía reported that the Spanish WorldTour team held a strong interest in bringing Silva into their setup. But as the transfer window has unfolded, Movistar have chosen to pursue other targets. The imminent arrivals of Roger Adrià, Raúl García Pierna, and Juanpe López, all of whom are expected to be announced soon, have effectively closed the door on Silva. To further complicate matters, Sebastián Molano is also tipped to join the team as Fernando Gaviria’s replacement. With so many new additions on the way, there is little room left in the roster for Silva, no matter his talent.

Astana, by contrast, appear to have offered Silva exactly what he needs: a chance to compete at the highest level without being lost in the shuffle. The Kazakh-backed squad may lack the depth and prestige of Movistar, but their resources, bolstered by XDS’s involvement, give them a strong advantage in negotiations. As one insider noted, Movistar “have little or nothing to do against the money of XDS Astana Team,” and for a rider with Silva’s ambitions, the financial and competitive security on offer is difficult to ignore.

Meanwhile, Movistar’s long-term strategy seems to be shifting. Beyond their senior roster signings, the team is investing heavily in the Movistar Team Academy, a new U23 development squad set to launch in 2026. Eusebio Unzué has made the project a priority, acknowledging that Movistar was the only WorldTour outfit without a dedicated feeder team until now. The creation of this structure will allow the Spanish team to nurture young talent from within, reducing the need to fight costly transfer battles in the open market. In this context, it becomes easier to understand why Silva was not pursued with the same urgency as before.

For Silva, however, the immediate focus remains on the Vuelta a España. Competing for Caja Rural, he has already shown flashes of the form that brought him into the spotlight, and the remainder of the race will serve as a showcase for his abilities on one of cycling’s biggest stages. Should the move to XDS Astana Team be confirmed, it will mark not only a personal milestone but also a breakthrough moment for Uruguayan cycling, as Silva becomes one of the few riders from his nation to secure a place in the WorldTour.

The market may be in turmoil, as is often the case during the grand tours, but for Thomas Silva the chaos is a sign of progress. From a promising young talent at Caja Rural to the verge of a WorldTour contract, his rise is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change when the transfer window opens. And with his best years still ahead, the cycling world will be watching closely to see how far Uruguay’s brightest prospect can climb.