Movistar looking to form partnership with Saudi Arabia - "We are in the process of finding a sponsor that will enable us to exceed the 30 million euro budget"

Money is often key in cycling, and the sport is no stranger to big sums being given from petrostates. Saudi Arabia is looking to get into the sport and teams to finance, as is the case with the UAE and Bahrain for example, and they are looking at teams they can finance.

"At the moment it is a partnership that we have entered into to stimulate cycling in Saudi Arabia, but logically we are also looking at a way in which they can support the team," Movistar team manager Eusebio Unzué said. The country has recently seen Alula become a title sponsor for Team BikeExchange - Jayco from 2023 onwards, but more moves are expected.

The country has recently grown the Saudi Tour, which has taken up a spot that in the past has been filled by the Tour of Qatar. Several races will take place in the region over the month of February, culminating in the UAE Tour, and many World Tours will be on the road in Saudi Arabia where more talks are expected.

As for Sebastian Unzué, he has confirmed further details that the Spanish team is looking into. "They are doing a great job and have great plans for the future. There are possibilities that they will sponsor the team, as happened with Bahrain and UAE," he said in an interview with Marca.

"We are in the process of finding a sponsor that will enable us to exceed the 30 million euro budget and thus be closer to major cycling teams such as Jumbo-Visma and INEOS Grenadiers," he concluded.