Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot ruled out, but Movistar seeks to sign new leader following Annemiek van Vleuten's retirement
Cycling
According to reports from GCN, Movistar Team is looking for a major signing to strengthen its women's team for the 2025 season. They are looking to somehow replace the figure of Annemiek van Vleuten. However, their team manager, Sebastián Unzué, has ruled out two prominent names: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Demi Vollering.
Although on paper Movistar seemed a viable option for Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (under contract with INEOS), team boss Sebastián Unzué made it clear that he is not interested in riders specializing in mountain biking, as is the case with the Frenchwoman. Unzué also ruled out approaching Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift champion Demi Vollering, who is currently out of contract for 2025.
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In Unzué's words: "We don't do mountain biking, and although we will do some cyclocross at the end of the season, we have no plans to incorporate MTB into our team. We are focused on other objectives and we do not contemplate the possibility of signing riders like Pauline".
Despite the team's lack of interest in Ferrand-Prévot and Vollering, Unzué is scouring the transfer market for other options. However, a top-level sprinter is unlikely, and he is exploring alternatives among talented riders out of contract for next year, such as Lizzie Deignan, Niamh Fisher-Black, Anna Shackley, Kasia Niewiadoma, Elisa Longo Borghini and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig.
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Meanwhile, the team also faces the possible departure of Emma Norsgaard, whose contract ends this season. Norsgaard has been a key player in the team's success since joining in 2021. Unzué noted that they are in talks to determine whether the Dane will remain with the team.
Coincidentally, Norsgaard and Uttrup Ludwig have a previous connection, as they rode for similar teams in their early days. This coincidence has led to speculation that they could meet again at Movistar Team.
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
- the time for a GC rider to retire is when they cannot win stages, or have a significant level drop like from winner/podium into top 5/10 consistently. Roglic is still competitive and Froome raced even though he became pack fodder.abstractengineer10-11-2026
- He should be in a different team. It was detrimental. For them it does not matter if he does not develop. He should have gone to a team where they need him to succeed.abstractengineer10-11-2026
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Femenino || Las rivales de Demi Vollering💥🥊 @aGilBregon ✍️ "Tras la retirada de Annemiek Van Vleuten, la neerlandesa Demi Vollering es la rival por batir en, prácticamente, todas las carreras..." 👀👇 lepuncheur.com/2024/03/01/dem…
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