"Whatever the team tells me" - Iván Romeo all-in for Movistar's pursuit of La Vuelta victory
CyclingWednesday, 09 September 2026 at 10:23
Iván Romeo put in another day of hard graft for Movistar Team on stage 16 of La Vuelta a España 2026. The rider from Valladolid again ranked among those logging the most work during the race, yet he came through a stage defined by extreme heat and early tension without incident.
The youngster’s priority was clear: protect Enric Mas and avoid any risky scenarios before the days that will truly decide the general classification. The stage ended in a bunch sprint in Palos de la Frontera, with victory for Matthew Brennan, while Movistar Team kept the red jersey out of trouble. “They ask me to save energy, but I’m going to push so you don’t see me in the gruppettos,” Romeo joked on Eurosport’s mic.
The Spaniard explained that, despite the accumulation of fatigue in a third week that is starting to bite, the day rated as positive. “Good, like I said, one more day, one less day, so all in order,” said Romeo. It’s a mindset that reflects Movistar Team’s current phase in the race: every stage finished without losses brings the Spanish squad closer to defending Enric Mas’s lead.
Tension spiked in the opening phases. Although the route pointed to a mass finish, any move, crash, or crosswind section could have jeopardized the GC riders. Romeo acknowledged the team had identified a few tricky spots and needed to stay highly alert.
“Early on there was a dangerous town, I think there was a crash, with 25 to go, and we went through it very well,” he explained. Good positioning allowed Movistar Team to pass that area without getting caught up in incidents and to keep Enric Mas protected into the decisive stretch.
Ivan Romeo during the Vuelta a España 2026
Saving matches for when the battle begins
The team’s mentality now is to manage every available watt. With the time trial and mountain stages still ahead, Romeo knows any unnecessary effort could prove costly when it’s time to trade blows among the favourites.
“There are fewer battles left; we want to fight them with the legs, not through crashes or anything else, so we’re happy with that, day saved,” he said. The rider from Valladolid summed up one of Movistar Team’s priorities at this point: stay out of trouble and bring as many riders as possible to the decisive days.
Stage 17 now looks like another chance to meter efforts before the race changes terrain again. Romeo will also await team orders on how to approach the subsequent time trial, a day when he could play a key role in supporting the leader.
Time trial a key day for Movistar
“We’ll think about tomorrow first and then whatever the team tells me,” said the Movistar Team rider. His task may go beyond chasing a strong individual time, as the squad needs markers and riders able to read the race depending on what happens with Enric Mas.
“Someone has to give Enric the splits,” Romeo admitted, aware that team strategy will remain crucial once the race hits the clock. The Spaniard does not rule out taking on that role if the team deems it necessary.
The priority, in any case, is to reach the final days with reserves intact. “As you can see, we’re economising as much as we can; we know it will be one of the keys in these last days,” he said. Romeo understands La Vuelta’s finale will stretch the favourites to the limit and that Movistar Team must keep resources in hand to protect their leader when there is no more hiding.
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While Matthew Brennan celebrated another sprint win and the peloton wrapped up a scorching day in Huelva, Romeo ticked off another shift of quiet work. The rider from Valladolid knows the big battles still await, and his role could be decisive in bringing Enric Mas to them in red, with the team by his side.
“Whatever they say,” Romeo concluded. A simple line that captures his mindset for La Vuelta’s final days: work, energy saving, and maximum discipline in pursuit of Movistar Team’s top priority.
Javier RampeCycling Journalist
Javier Rampe is a sports analyst with more than 15 years of experience. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Rome and a Diploma in Business Studies from the University of Cádiz. Despite coming from an academic background not particularly associated with cycling, his passion for both cycling and journalism was instilled in him from an early age. He grew up following Miguel Indurain and José María “El Chava” Jiménez. An admirer of Michael Robinson’s communication style and journalistic approach, he was inspired to pursue a degree in Journalism at the University of Buenos Aires, which he is currently completing.
He has always maintained close ties with the worlds of sport and culture, contributing from a young age to sports blogs and film and music review websites. His work has appeared in media outlets such as Cope, RAI, and Radio Con Vos. He is also the founder of the cycling-focused podcast El Contraanálisis and the football interview channel Días De Fútbol, dedicated to conversations with professional footballers.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Javier has interviewed some of the most influential figures in modern cycling, including Alejandro Valverde and Tadej Pogačar, as well as key voices in anti-doping policy such as Alberto Yelmo, David Varillas, and Marcelo Milano. Marcos Maynar, in relation to the ‘Operación Ílex’ case, is also among the personalities he has interviewed. He enjoys conducting in-depth analysis of the cycling ecosystem and has attended major events such as Strade Bianche, the Vuelta a Andalucía, and Itzulia, as well as numerous national cyclo-cross races.
His background in economics, combined with extensive experience in marketing and corporate communications, drives his continuous study of positioning strategies and ensures that he always keeps his focus on crafting compelling and evocative headlines.
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