"He was the only rider to beat Evenepoel and Pogacar last season" - Movistar's new DS confident Enric Mas can thrive in 2023

Joan Prats' Escapa Podcast featured Xabier Muriel, the new sports director of Movistar Team. He shared his expectations and roles of several riders, as well as his strategies for next season.

Muriel sees great potential in Enric Más and looks forward to working with him. "I'm optimistic, and I think that having already been with the best, as he showed at the end of the season, is the crowning glory. My thing is the data, and I think he has a margin. He's not at a thousand percent, and every year, he's going to get better and better.”

In his opinion, he can compete with Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel, given the right training. “I think he can be with them, but to beat them, he has to take advantage of the marking. He was the only rider to beat Evenepoel and Pogacar last season," said Muriel.

He then shifted the focus towards Ivan García Cortina. “I think that what Iván achieved this season in Italy will give him confidence, and he will take a step forward. I think the team will bet more on him in these classics, and we will take a step forward. But from there, demanding him to win one of the big ones. He could do it, but a lot of things have to happen."

Muriel’s one of the biggest challenges will be bringing Fernando Gaviria back to his old self. It has been a disappointing few seasons for the Colombian rider. "It's a big challenge. You know that if it goes well, he can be one of the best in the world. He understands it that way too. Let's see if he can get that consistency. As soon as things improve a little bit, he'll get it out. Let's also hope that he has a more favorable environment for him here,” concluded Muriel.