The future of Movistar? 18-year-old talent speaks of pride at joining Spanish outfit: "This team has always been the reference point"

Eric Igual is already one of the visible faces of the new Movistar Team development squad. The Valencian rider signed for the Academy and was officially presented in Valencia on the 11th alongside the rest of the stars such as Enric Mas, Cian Uijtdebroeks and Marlen Reusser. During the event, Igual did not hide his excitement at making the step up to what he considers the benchmark of Spanish cycling.

“It’s a source of pride. In Spain this team has always been the reference point, so it’s a pride and a joy, and being presented in Valencia, at home, is also a very great joy,” he said in comments to Monica Marchante and Perico Delgado.

At 18 years old, Eric Igual arrives at the Movistar Team feeder squad after establishing himself as one of the leading young talents in Spanish cycling. Junior world champion on the track in both the Points Race and the Madison, the Valencian has shown an unusual competitive maturity for his age on the velodrome. His dominance in these disciplines reflects a combination of explosiveness, endurance and a strong sense of rhythm, qualities that are especially valuable in modern cycling.

Developed within the Picusa Academy structure, Eric Igual has stood out from his earliest steps for his race intelligence. That ability to read situations and anticipate the movements of the group has allowed him to perform both in one day races and short stage races. Track racing has been a key school in his development, teaching him how to manage efforts, position himself precisely in the peloton and stay calm in decisive moments.

In this sense, his profile connects with development models that other countries, such as Denmark, have successfully exploited in recent years, transferring talents from the velodrome to the road, a pathway that has not been used as frequently in Spain.

On the road, his 2025 season confirmed that progression. Overall victory at the Trofeo Victor Cabedo, the win in the Les Alqueries time trial and his success in the Camporrobles classic underline a versatility that is far from common. Igual has been able to perform across varied terrain, showing speed on the flat, solidity on rolling courses and notable consistency throughout the calendar. His second place overall in the Copa de Espana reinforces the image of a rider who is consistent and competitive week after week.

The signing of Eric Igual for the Movistar Team Academy reflects a clear commitment to the future. The team sees in him a rider with room to grow across different terrains, capable of adapting to nervous races, classics and medium mountain stages. His time with the Continental squad will allow him to continue developing his endurance and power, as well as gaining experience in international competitions against the best young riders in the peloton.

For Eric Igual, this new chapter represents a natural step in his career. Doing so at home, surrounded by his people and under the umbrella of Spain’s only WorldTour team, adds a special dimension to a presentation that marks the beginning of a key stage in his path within professional cycling.

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Eric Igual | 18 | Spain

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Filip Novak | 17 | Czech Republic

Roger Pareta | 19 | Spain

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