'A step we must take' - Unzué backs formation of new 'Super League' in pro cycling

Unzué had previously been party to discussions regarding the touted One Cycling project, which was rejected by the UCI last year. UCI president David Lappartient later indicated that the governing body would enter direct discussions with One Cycling’s Saudi backers.

Earlier this month, Escape Collective reported the latest attempt at a reform project, which is reportedly being led by team owners including Ivan Glasenberg of Pinarello-Q36.5 and Zdeněk Bakala of Soudal-QuickStep.

“There is no news yet,” Unzué told Marca when asked about the rumoured Super League. “Work is under way, and I believe it is a step we must take, continuing to evolve so that we can remain an attractive sport.”

This is not the first time Unzué has signalled his desire for significant changes to the structure of professional cycling. When discussing the since rejected One Cycling project ahead of the 2024 Tour Colombia, Unzué had decried cycling as “the most conservative sport,” and he proposed changes that included allowing substitutions during the Grand Tours. “I think almost all sports develop, whereas we’re still doing the same things we’ve always been doing,” he said then.

On Monday, Unzué confirmed that he is searching for an additional sponsor to boost Movistar’s budget. “We’re still working on it, but there is no news at the moment,” he said.

Unzué was speaking to Marca at the launch of the latest season of Movistar’s fly-on-the-wall document, ‘The Least Expected Day,’ and he indicated that this would not be the final instalment of the series.

His Movistar team has been revamped somewhat for 2026, with Matt White joining the management team and new arrival Cian Uijtdebroeks set to lead at the Tour de France, while Enric Mas will tackle the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.

“He is super professional, super meticulous, very much in line with the modern athlete, the modern cyclist,” Unzué said about Uijtdebroeks. “Despite his limited experience, he has a very clear vision of his objectives and how he approaches them.”