Movistar Team
Movistar Team is a Spanish UCI WorldTour professional cycling team managed by Eusebio Unzué. With roots dating back to the 1980s under names like Reynolds and Banesto, the team has one of the longest continuous histories in pro cycling. Known for its stage racing pedigree and strong climbing squads, Movistar has achieved Grand Tour victories and consistent top-level performances.
Full official team name and common short name
The team's full official name is Movistar Team, with the identifier being MOV.
Team category and status
Movistar Team competes as a UCI WorldTeam, the highest classification in professional men's road cycling. This status grants automatic entry to all WorldTour races and obligates the squad to start all three Grand Tours and five Monument classics each season.
Primary disciplines
The team focuses exclusively on men's elite road racing, competing across three-week Grand Tours, one-week stage races, single-day classics, and Monument races. Their traditional strength lies in stage racing and climbing, with a Spanish racing identity built around Grand Tour GC contention and mountain stages.
Next to the men's team there is also a Movistar women teamcompeting at WorldTour level.
Country of registration and base location
The team is registered in Spain under the Spanish cycling federation and operates its headquarters from Pamplona, Spain. The team maintains strong ties to Spanish cycling culture and infrastructure, with service course operations supporting its European racing programme.
Founding year and origin story
The team traces its roots back to 1980 as Reynolds, evolving through Banesto (1990-2003) before Spanish telecommunications giant Telefónica took over sponsorship.
The team has operated under various Telefónica brands including Movistar since 2011, making it one of the longest continuous sponsor relationships in professional cycling and a cornerstone of Spanish cycling heritage.
Current title sponsor and key partners
Spanish telecommunications company Movistar (part of Telefónica) serves as title sponsor, a relationship dating back over two decades through various brand names. Canyon supplies the Aeroad CFR aero road bikes and Ultimate CFR climbing frames, with Speedmax CFR for time trials. SRAM provides Red AXS wireless electronic groupsets, Zipp manufactures the carbon wheels, Continental furnishes tyres, and Fizik supplies saddles.
The team uses Gobik for clothing and maintains partnerships with Spanish brands reflecting its national identity.
Key achievements
The team's history includes five Tour de France victories during the Banesto era with Miguel Indurain (1991-1995), one of cycling's most dominant periods. In the modern Movistar era, achievements include Nairo Quintana's 2014 Giro d'Italia and 2016 Vuelta a España victories, Richard Carapaz's 2019 Giro d'Italia triumph, and Enric Mas's multiple Grand Tour podium finishes including second at the 2021 Vuelta a España.
Alejandro Valverde, the team's longest-serving rider, delivered the 2018 World Championship road race title, four Liège-Bastogne-Liège victories (2006, 2008, 2015, 2017), and countless stage wins across all three Grand Tours during his two-decade tenure.
The squad has accumulated dozens of WorldTour stage race victories including multiple wins at Paris-Nice, Critérium du Dauphiné, and Tour de Romandie. Spanish one-week races have been particularly fruitful, with numerous victories at Itzulia Basque Country, Vuelta a Burgos, and Vuelta a Andalucía.
The team has consistently featured multiple riders in Grand Tour top tens, won stages at all three Grand Tours nearly every season, and established itself as a reliable presence in breakaways and mountain stages.
Movistar's 2026 roster
Movistar’s 2026 roster blends proven Grand Tour pedigree with a new wave of talent. Enric Mas remains the team’s primary GC leader, a reliable presence at the top end of three week racing. Alongside him, Cian Uijtdebroeks arrives from Visma | Lease a Bike as a second GC option, giving Movistar another rider capable of targeting overall results in the biggest stage races.
Colombian all rounder Einer Rubio adds versatility and climbing strength after impressive performances at the past two editions of the Giro d’Italia. Davide Formolo offers a strong card for hilly one-day races and punchy stages, while the team’s talent pipeline looks promising with Czech neo pro Pavel Novák and the highly rated Iván Romeo.
Nairo Quintana also remains on the roster, with 2026 set to be the final year of his professional career.
Overall, the squad stays true to Movistar’s identity: Spanish leadership, Latin American climbing support, and enough depth to chase GC ambitions.
Alumni of Movistar
The team's alumni list spans over four decades and includes some of cycling's greatest names. Miguel Indurain, five-time Tour de France winner (1991-1995) and two-time Giro champion, defined the Banesto era as one of the sport's most dominant riders. Alejandro Valverde spent two decades with the team (2005-2022, with a brief gap), winning the 2018 World Championship, four Liège-Bastogne-Liège titles, and over 130 professional victories.
Richard Carapaz won the 2019 Giro d'Italia before moving to INEOS Grenadiers. Colombian climber Andrey Amador provided years of loyal domestique work. Spanish stars Carlos Sastre, José Joaquín Rojas, and Rubén Plaza all wore Movistar colours.
Mikel Landa spent multiple seasons as a GC contender before moving on. Marc Soler developed into a stage winner before transferring to UAE Team Emirates. Giovanni Visconti brought Italian flair and stage wins.
More recently, Mathias Norsgaard departed after developing into a classics contender. The Movistar era has also seen riders like Rui Costa, José Herrada, and Imanol Erviti (now retiring) contribute years of service to one of cycling's most stable and family-oriented teams.