"At last, I can breathe" - Paula Blasi opens up on role unclarity at UAE and team's resistance to letting her go
Cycling
Paula Blasi can now focus fully on her new chapter with Movistar Team after negotiations to secure her departure from UAE Team L'IMAD proved far more complicated than expected.
The Spanish rider, one of the biggest revelations in the women’s peloton in 2026, explained in an interview with Eurosport the difficulties surrounding her move to the Spanish team for 2027 and the uncertainty she faced as other transfers were officially announced.
“It was a long process that no athlete wants to go through. I made my decision some time ago, but there is a lot that you don’t see from the outside. You see that nothing has been announced and think it’s because they don’t want to announce it, but that isn’t the case. Things became more complicated than we expected,” Blasi admitted. She has finally completed a move she had wanted to make for some time.
The Catalan rider says the agreement has now been signed and approved by the UCI, allowing her to put the tension of the negotiations behind her. “At last, I can breathe. Everything is settled, signed and approved by the UCI. I’m very excited, and having peace of mind is the most important thing for an athlete. I can now focus on training, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what comes next,” she said.
One of the things that caused Blasi the most concern was seeing the transfer market move forward while her own situation remained unresolved publicly. Although she tried to stay out of the negotiations, information eventually reached her and fuelled doubts about the outcome of her sporting future.
The uncertainty surrounding a transfer that remained unannounced
“I try to stay out of the meetings, decisions and negotiations, but eventually the information reaches you and you wonder: ‘How can that be? Why are all the transfers announced in September, but mine still isn’t?’” the Spaniard recalled of those days of waiting.
The rider explained that the situation became particularly uncomfortable because it was about more than just timing. Ongoing talks and pending agreements affected a major career decision, while she tried to remain focused on her sporting preparation.
“You have that nagging feeling, and you worry more as things start coming out. It’s not that you don’t want to know; things have just become complicated. Some decisions carry a lot of weight. It’s not just about training and racing. You have to wait and see what happens with certain agreements and decisions. But I’m very happy now that it’s all behind me,” she added.
With the transfer settled, Blasi looks ahead to next season knowing where she will race and excited to join a team structure where she hopes to find the conditions she needs to keep improving.
Paula Blasi, Movistar Team’s new star.
Leaving UAE: potential and a lack of clear direction
The Spaniard also reflected on her time with UAE Team ADQ, where she made major strides in her development as a professional cyclist. Blasi acknowledged that she arrived with plenty to learn, but believes her rapid progress did not always earn her the space and confidence she needed within the team.
“It was a mix of things. When I arrived at 21, I barely knew how to race on a bike, but my teammates and the team were part of that learning process. Then I improved very quickly. It was hard to believe,” she recalled.
Her sporting progress changed her expectations, she explained, but did not always change the team’s perception of her from when she first arrived. That ultimately became one of the main difficulties of her time with the Emirati team.
“At times, though, it was difficult to feel that I had space and confidence within the team. When you improve so quickly, it’s hard to change the way people saw you when you arrived, and you have to keep proving that you can do certain things,” she said.
Blasi also pointed to issues with race management and the distribution of responsibilities during competition. In her view, UAE had several riders capable of fighting for major results, but lacked clear enough direction to make the most of that collective potential.
“UAE had huge potential and the riders were very strong, but the problem was the team’s direction. Decisions weren’t always made the way I would have liked, and things weren’t very clear,” she said.
The rider believes having several leaders can be a strength if they share a strategy. But when the team’s direction is not clearly defined, that wealth of options can end up working against the group’s interests.
“If you have three, four or five riders who can fight for a race and no clear plan or direction, it ends up becoming a battle rather than a team race. I didn’t like that very much,” she concluded.
Paula Blasi was unhappy with the lack of direction at UAE
Movistar, the chance to race at home and share leadership
Paula Blasi’s next chapter will begin with her move to Movistar Team, a decision that also reflects her connection to Spanish cycling. She makes no secret of the special appeal of racing for a home team and is grateful for the confidence the squad has shown in her.
“You don’t have to be particularly clever to see which team is the home team. Racing for a Spanish team is something very special. Movistar have thrown the door wide open for me, and I’m very grateful,” she explains.
One of the things she values most is the chance to carve out a role of her own within the team. Blasi hopes to find an environment where she can continue to develop and take on responsibility, while also learning from the squad’s other leading riders.
Marlen Reusser is one of them, and Blasi hopes they can share goals and work together closely. The Spaniard believes having two leaders need not become a problem if they complement each other and the team puts the right strategy in place.
“I’ll have my own space here. Marlen Reusser is here, and I’ll learn a lot from her, but I believe I’ll have my own role too. We’ve talked about how to divide things up and work together, and I think having two leaders can be a strength if we understand each other. We can work very well together and complement each other,” she says.
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Blasi can now put a period of uncertainty behind her, after negotiations between UAE and Movistar tested her patience. With all the paperwork settled, the Spanish champion can focus on preparing for 2027 and making the most of an opportunity she sees as special, both for the sporting project and for the chance to wear the colours of a home team.
“People tell you a lot about Movistar, but the thought of being at home draws you in. And if the door can be opened, you walk through it,” she concludes.
Jorge BorregueroWriter
Jorge Borreguero is a journalist with a degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and has been a writer for Cyclinguptodate and Ciclismoaldia since early 2023. In this role, he has played a key part in the evolution of the website, particularly as a specialist covering Movistar Team. He regularly writes race reports, analytical pieces, and in-depth features about the team, and has conducted exclusive interviews and attended multiple team presentations, providing readers with firsthand insights into one of the leading professional cycling squads.
Throughout his career, Jorge has maintained a strong focus on sports journalism, gaining experience across a variety of disciplines, including basketball and football. However, his current work is almost entirely dedicated to cycling, contributing extensively to Ciclismoaldia and its sister website Cyclinguptodate. For these platforms, he combines thorough research with detailed reporting to deliver high-quality content, ranging from race previews and results to expert analysis of teams and riders.
Jorge’s reporting is marked by accuracy, depth, and a commitment to providing readers with reliable and authoritative information. His direct engagement with teams, athletes, and events ensures that his coverage reflects firsthand knowledge and professional insight. Through his work, he has established himself as a trusted voice in professional cycling journalism, bridging the gap between the sport and its global audience while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
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