Movistar relegation "would be dramatic for Spain" UCI president worries

Movistar Team find themselves in a complicated situation where they face risks of being relegated to Pro Team level, and UCI President David Lappartient has talked about what is one of the oldest and most popular teams ever in the peloton and it's current status.

In an interview with EFE, Lappartient said: "I hope that Movistar does not go down, it would be dramatic for Spain. The result is going to be very tight, there are seven teams in a handkerchief. But I think that Valverde will give them the points to save themselves":

He argued that the ageing of Alejandro Valverde has put the team in a more complicated situation, and the crashes and illnesses that affected Enric Mas throughout the season have taken the team to a level where they sit just above the red line, being hunted by Lotto Soudal and Israel - Premier Tech - although the buffer is still significant and the Vuelta a Espana should favour the Spanish team.

“There has been a golden generation and the middle level is now less strong," Lappartient said, worried about the consequences no Spanish World Tour teams may have in the country's development. "I have no information to know if it is a structural problem, I do not know much about amateur cycling in Spain. But it is true that there is not the renewal that one would expect".