OFFICIAL: Movistar sign Orluis Aular - "I never imagined making it to the WorldTour"

Movistar Team has made official today what was an open secret: the signing of Venezuelan Orluis Aular, who in recent seasons has ridden for Caja Rural. It was a transfer that had been rumoured for several months and confirmed this morning by the Spanish team.

"To be honest, I never imagined making it to the WorldTour. My goal was always to go step by step. I tried to get to Europe, and thanks to Jesús Rodríguez Magro I was able to compete in Spain with EC Cartucho," Aular said in a press release. "Then I went to Belgium for two years, a place where I learned a lot; from there I jumped to Japan; and from there I achieved my goal of, at least, being ProConti with Caja Rural, to whom I am very grateful for the opportunity they gave me at the time. I knew that from there it would not be easy, and it has been years of hard work and dedication to have this nice opportunity with Movistar Team. It makes me very happy and, at the same time, gives me a lot of feelings, because it has not been easy at all".

The powerful rider signs for two seasons (until 2026) and does so after an outstanding campaign in which he has performed at a very good level in the classics in which he has participated with his team. Throughout his career he has won races such as the Trofeo Matteotti, Tour du Limousin, the final classification of the CRO Race or the general classification of the Volta ao Alentejo or GP Torres Vedras. He has also obtained second places in Itzulia 2024 or La Vuelta 2023, putting himself out there as a quality sprinter.

"2024 has been my best year. Season after season I've been improving, and this year I've been able to maintain a lot of consistency in performance and results, with the will to make it to the WorldTour. I think that desire has driven me to work like never before. I have been able to pass much better the middle mountain, and the 'plus' of knowing that I was going to have the option of riding with Movistar Team gives me hope to continue improving in many other aspects".

"I am at the team's disposal for whatever they need. I will keep looking for goals, as I have always done during my career, looking to be a versatile rider and showing that I have room for improvement," he concludes. "I am anxious to meet the team and my future teammates and staff. I have already met some members of the team and I'm looking forward to make team and contribute the maximum".

Although he has modest words, without a doubt he is capable of having a leadership role in Movistar, who have Fernando Gaviria struggling to perform in the sprints, and see the departure of Alex Aranburu. Movistar is still on the hunt in the market with some budget available and is said to make big efforts to sign Pablo Castrillo and Maxim van Gils.