Movistar strikes deal with Saudi Arabia's Cycling Federation

Petro-states from the Middle East have over the last few years invested heavily on some of the biggest cycling teams in the world with the likes of UAE Team Emirates and Bahrain - Victorious being direct sponsors of some of the biggest teams in the world, and Saudi Arabia seems to be entering the top of the sport aswell.

This Monday Movistar Team announced the signing of a partnership between the Saudi Cycling Federation and the Abarca Sports company, which manages the Spanish team. Saudi Arabia is a nation with very little to no history in cycling at International level, but has in 2020 brought back the Saudi Tour which has seen multiple World Tour teams make the trip.

"The agreement aims to develop technical staff, enhance cooperation on training programs, exchange experiences, hold regular workshops and support events, races and activities in the Kingdom for years to come," the press release said. "The cooperation between the parties aims to jointly develop cycling projects in the Kingdom at all levels."

At a sporting level the agreement is not expected to make any meaningful change to the Spanish team, but it could open ways for a rider from the nation to enter the team's ranks and the spotlight via Movistar, as is the case with the likes of the UAE and Bahrain precisely.