Movistar Team's sixth season was launched today at the company headquarters in Madrid's Distrito Telefónica. The riders directed by Eusebio Unzué were presented to the media in the presence of varios Telefónica authorities, including Public Affairs Director Carlos López Blanco. The event was shown on the social media using the hashtag #MovistarTeam2016, and recorded for broadcast in Spain on the Movistar+ platform.
Thanks to almost 150 victories, and 1.5 million kilometres raced in five campaigns, Movistar Team has maintained the status it has held since its foundation in 1980 as the team of reference in the international peloton. The 2015 season saw the riders achieve magnificent results: both Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde stood on the final podium of the Tour de France; Valverde won the UCI world rankings for the 4th time in his career; Alex Dowsett set a new World Hour record, 21 years after Miguel Indurain; Andrey Amador finished fourth in the Giro d'Italia; and, on top of all this, the prizes for the Best Team in the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España.
General Manager Eusebio Unzué emphasised the team's hunger for yet more glory in 2016, when the season's goals will once again include victory in the Grand Tours and in the leading events of the UCI WorldTour calendar, as well as the overall team ranking for a fourth consecutive season. “It’s not anything we didn’t do during the last few years, so it’s achievable, and I’m also excited about the progression of our youngsters, the talent of our two big leaders and the huge team behind us. Together with our partners, the whole squad is fully focused on fulfilling the biggest goals, and under Telefónica’s sponsorship, we’re calm and confident that we will be able to fight for the Tour and many other big races.”
Thirty partners and nearly forty support staff complete the team roster. Over the past five years, this vast and complex structure has met the challenges set by Telefonica in the digital sphere, by positioning itself as one of the most followed teams on the net. 700,000 followers accompany the team, via its official website, movistarteam.com, and its Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and SoundCloud profiles. This social network presence is completed by an official shop, event broadcast innovations via Periscope, initiatives like "Vive Fan", and competitions and events like the Movistar Bike Fiesta.
The event also saw the presentation of the official suit designed for Movistar Team by the men's fashion brand Scalpers. This sponsorship relationship started in 2013, since when the paths of both parties have led to great success. For the new season, a navy suit with a fresh, current cut combines with a white shirt, embroidered with the initials of each team member, and a limitied edition tie.
MOVISTAR TEAM ROSTER 2016
RIDERS (** marks new signings for 2016)
Andrey Amador (Costa Rica, 29 years old)
Winner Anacona (Colombia, 27)
Jorge Arcas (Huesca, Spain 23) **
Carlos Betancur (Colombia, 26) **
Jonathan Castroviejo (Vizcaya, 28)
Alex Dowsett (Great Britain, 27)
Imanol Erviti (Navarre, 32)
Rubén Fernández (Murcia, 24)
Jesús Herrada (Cuenca, 25)
José Herrada (Cuenca, 30)
Gorka Izagirre (Guipúzcoa, 28)
Ion Izagirre (Guipúzcoa, 26)
Juanjo Lobato (Cadiz, 27)
Adriano Malori (Italy, 27)
Dani Moreno (Madrid, 33) **
Javi Moreno (Jaén, 31)
Nelson Oliveira (Portugal, 26) **
Antonio Pedrero (Barcelona, 24) **
Dayer Quintana (Colombia, 23)
Nairo Quintana (Colombia, 25)
José Joaquín Rojas (Murcia, 30)
Marc Soler (Barcelona, 22)
Rory Sutherland (Australia, 33)
Jasha Sütterlin (Germany, 23)
Alejandro Valverde (Murcia, 35)
Fran Ventoso (Cantabria, 33)
Giovanni Visconti (Italy, 33)
Kosuke TAKEYAMA 27 years | today |
Brian LIGNEEL 33 years | today |
Holger SIEVERS 56 years | today |
Raoul LIEBREGTS 49 years | today |
Andrew ROCHE 53 years | today |
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