OFFICIAL: Former Movistar director who worked with Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana joins Cofidis for 2027
Cycling
Cofidis have confirmed the appointment of former Movistar Team sporting director Jose Luis Arrieta as part of their preparations for the 2027 season. The 55-year-old Spaniard brings a decade of experience working with some of cycling's biggest names, including Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana, as the French team continue strengthening their backroom staff.
Arrieta, who spent ten seasons as a sporting director at Movistar before leaving in 2021, is a familiar figure in the professional peloton. Born in the Basque Country, he enjoyed a lengthy career as a rider between 1993 and 2010, spending 13 seasons with the Banesto structure under its various names before joining AG2R La Mondiale, where he also developed his fluency in French.
He moved into team management in 2011, returning to the Movistar organisation and establishing himself as a regular presence in the team car at some of the biggest races on the international calendar.
Ten years at Movistar alongside Valverde and Quintana
Arrieta's experience at the highest level has been a major factor behind Cofidis' decision to bring him into their sporting structure. During his time at Movistar, he worked closely with leading riders such as Valverde and Quintana, helping guide the Spanish team through some of the most important races on the UCI WorldTour calendar.
His appointment also marks a return to a full-time sporting director role after several years away from the position. Arrieta had previously worked with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale on a temporary basis, although his involvement during the 2026 Vuelta a Espana was limited to accompanying guests rather than directing the team.
Now he faces a new challenge in France, where Cofidis hope his knowledge of the biggest races, tactical understanding and experience managing riders will help strengthen their sporting ambitions.
His arrival also increases the Basque influence within Cofidis' management structure, where he will work alongside fellow sporting directors Bingen Fernandez and Gorka Gerrikagoitia.
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Arrieta explains why he chose Cofidis
Arrieta has expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the role and revealed that Gerrikagoitia was the first person to approach him about joining the French team.
"It was Gorka Gerrikagoitia who first told me about the opportunity to join the team. From my very first conversations with him and Raphael Jeune, I quickly realised we were on the same wavelength," Arrieta explained. "I have a lot of respect for the project that is being built and for the way everyone wants to help the team develop."
The Spaniard also outlined his approach to working with riders, describing himself as a demanding sporting director, although he insists the highest expectations are those he places on himself.
"I like to describe myself as a demanding sporting director, but above all, I'm demanding of myself. I'm really excited about getting to know the riders and my new colleagues so we can start working towards next season!"
Cofidis sporting manager Raphael Jeune was equally enthusiastic about the appointment, highlighting the experience Arrieta has accumulated at the highest level of professional cycling.
"We are very happy to welcome Jose Luis Arrieta to the team. He has gained extensive experience at UCI WorldTour level with his previous teams. He knows the most prestigious races on the calendar and knows how to find the right words when speaking to riders," Jeune said.
He also praised the Spaniard's professionalism and attention to detail. "Jose Luis is a very professional sporting director, very meticulous and extremely attentive to detail. We're really excited to have him joining us and to start working together!"
Arrieta's arrival gives Cofidis another experienced figure in the team car as they prepare for 2027, with the Spaniard now looking to put his years alongside some of Movistar's most successful riders to use in a new environment.
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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