"Everyone is able to perform 20 or 30 percent better than eight or ten years ago" - Movistar's Unzué on the sport's progression; Enric Mas' disappointing Giro
Cycling
The first half of the Giro d’Italia has fallen short of expectations for Movistar Team. Especially in the case of Enric Mas, back to racing after eight months out and performing below what was hoped. Even so, Eusebio Unzué remains calm. The manager of the Spanish squad acknowledges in an interview with AS that the balance is bittersweet, but insists there is still time to react, both for his leader to regain rhythm and for the team to chase a stage win.
After stage 14, Unzué offered a frank assessment of the team’s situation, Enric Mas’s form, the future of youngsters like Cian Uijtdebroeks and Iván Romeo, and reflected on how modern cycling has evolved.
Patience with Enric Mas: “He isn’t where he would have liked”
Unzué admitted that the main disappointment of this Giro has been Enric Mas’ competitive level, while noting there was uncertainty over how he would respond after so long away from the peloton.
“Unfortunately he’s been far from what we initially thought. It was a real unknown because we didn’t know how he’d respond after eight months without racing.”
He explained that, although training feedback was positive, the reality and demands of racing showed a different picture.
Enric Mas, Movistar Team star at the Giro d’Italia
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“In training it was clear there was no problem, but we also didn’t know if he’d cope on the key days. At Blockhaus it was obvious he wasn’t where he would have liked.”
Even so, he avoids calling it a definitive failure and asks for time.
“It’s a message of patience. He has to keep racing, banking race days, and I hope as a result he’ll raise his level and get back to his usual standard.”
Goodbye to the GC, new target: win a stage
After losing more than ten minutes in the first mountain days, Movistar accept that the general classification is no longer an option.
“It’s clear we can’t think about the GC with him.”
Now, the focus shifts completely.
“The team’s objective has been reduced almost exclusively to trying to win a stage.”
Unzué believes the collective work has been good, even if the payoff hasn’t arrived yet.
“We’ve been very close to a win and fighting almost every day, but we haven’t had the reward we’ve worked for.”
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On Enric’s expectations: “The mark is a fail”
Enric Mas himself said before the Giro that he was aiming to fight for the podium. A statement that now raises eyebrows given his current level.
Unzué understands it, although he admits reality has been harsh.
“He had reasons to think so. In training he was doing very well and had grounds for it.”
But he also stresses that the definitive exam is always the race.
“You have to take the tests in competition, where it really counts, and in this case the mark, logically, is a fail.”
Trust in Cian Uijtdebroeks for the Tour, but without pressure
Looking ahead to the Tour de France, Unzué also spoke about Cian Uijtdebroeks, one of the team’s great hopes, who will return at the Dauphiné after overcoming his physical issues.
“He’s feeling very good, recovered from the crash. At the Dauphiné (Tour Auvergne - Rhône Alpes, ed.) I think we’ll see him with the best.”
However, he cools any inflated expectations for his debut as leader at the Grande Boucle.
“We’re not thinking about the Tour podium or anything like that. We want him to acquire habits and the ability to lead a team.”
The priority is learning.
“It will surely be a very important experience for his future.”
Cian Uijtdebroeks racing for Movistar in 2026
Iván Romeo, a long-term investment
Another standout name was Iván Romeo, recently renewed through 2030 and seen as a strategic piece for the team’s future.
“He’s a rider for the future and an important piece because we really trust his development.”
Unzué highlighted his quality, while urging patience before asking him for more responsibility.
“He has the quality to keep improving on what he’s already doing well.”
On whether he might one day fight for general classifications, he was cautious.
“We won’t put limits on his progression, but with his height and weight it’s hard to be in Grand Tours with heavy climbing fighting riders who climb at eight or ten kilos less.”
The new cycling: faster, more precise and more demanding
Finally, Unzué reflected on how modern cycling has changed and why riders who won with certain numbers a few years ago can no longer compete with the very best.
“Everything cycling has gained is down to the tools now available in training and nutrition.”
For him, technology and professionalisation have lifted the average level dramatically.
“Everyone is able to perform 20 or 30 percent better than eight or ten years ago.”
And that shows directly in peloton speed.
“Riding a Grand Tour at 40 km/h average used to be extremely hard; today they’re above 43. Roubaix was raced at close to 48 or 49 km/h. That was unthinkable.”
Despite Mas’ difficult present at this Giro, Unzué hasn’t lost faith. He trusts in a steady improvement from his leader and that Movistar can still salvage something significant from this race. If the veteran manager conveys anything, it is a clear idea: patience today to compete again tomorrow.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
- I'm picking .... .... Never mind 🫥flyer07-11-2026
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