Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde will,both do the Tour de France and the Vuetla a Espana next season. That was announced by Movistar manager Eusebio Unzue in a press conference today.

Nairo Quintana who finished second in the 2013 Tour de France and won the 2014 Girio d'Italia will share the leadership role with Alejandro Valverde in both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana. The Spaniard has done the double in the two last season, finishing fourth in the Tour and third in the Vuelta in 2014. In the Giro d'Italia, Unzue will give Benat Intxuasti, Jesus Herrada or Ion Izagirre a chance to shine or alternatively focus on Juan Jose Lobato in the sprints.

Movisted held a press conference in Pamplona where Unzué flanked by Valverde and Quintana, and outlned the plans for the teams and its two leaders. The decision has been made to have the pair join forces in the grand tours.

"The directors, doctors and trainers have all agreed that this will make us stronger, not weaker, and gives us the ability to cover more targets. And they (Quintana and Valverde) also agreed and considered it important to be together because they share the responsibility. And, although sometimes they can fight for common goals, everyone is ready to support the best.So this has led us to believe it to be the right thing to do the two Grand Tours together as we had initially planned, both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana. Both will have different schedules before," he confirmed.

The manager is convinced that the partnership can only be beneficial for both the veteran and the youngster.

"Do not forget that Nairo is a kid and has a big responsibility. I think that Alejandro will be a key rider in key moments and will bring peace and security. In addition to strengthening the team, his presence is very reassuring for Nairo. And we have the good fortune - and this is part of the success of this team - that they are available to each other at all times. Nairo could grow in the shadow of Alejandro and Alejando does not feel the sole responsibility of having to pull the chestnuts out of the fire himself. Though sometimes they share certain goals and you have to give up that possibility, that is our strength," he said.

Unzue revealed that the option of repeating the 2014 schedule was on the table but Quintana's growth as a rider after his win in the Giro d'Italia, meant that he was almost obliged to do the Tour.

"We reviewed everything. Even the possibility of a division of races and responsibilities like in 2014. The truth is that the result were very interesting and we are very satisfied (Quintana won the Giro, Valverde was fourth in the Tour and finished on the podium in the Vuelta). We have ensured that Nairo has more maturity after having had the experience of leading and carrying the responsibility at the Giro d'Italia. That format was an option," he said.

As always, the Tour has been red-circled for both Quintana and Valverde.

"The entire calendar will be a target because we have all kinds of riders but the Tour is the most important goal because it is the most important race and because we have the riders to be protagonists there," Unzue said.

As proved by their overall wins in the 2013 and 2014 WorldTour, Movistar does not only want to shine in the Tour de France but aims to excel in all races.

"The main goal is that this structure continues to mature and become more and more experienced. With these aims, the goal is always to do as good as possible from the first race of the year. We try to go to every race with a leader, a rider who is able to shine. The team is usually able to live up to expectations with its leaders. And we plan to continue to do so. We have young riders who will be able to lead in some races gain experience from the veterans," Unzue said.

With Quintana and Valverde focused on the Tour and the Vuelta, the Giro doors are open for other riders in the team.

"This allows us to give the chance for young riders who are progressing, to do a grand tour with a certain freedom and to feel like leaders. This will allow them to grow and progress in the short and medium term. We will have a team that will be led by Beñat (Intxausti) who will hopefully be able to take that step that we have been waiting for in a few years, Jesus Herrada, Ion Izaguirre and Juanjo Lobato.

"It is a groupe that have a chance to confirm their progress, to lead and learn a lot. The team will have less responsibility and more piece and that will help them to progress. And they will get the chance to experience how it feels to do those races, like Nairo did this year. I am sure they will do a great Giro," Unzue added.

"Sometimes you et weaker by dividing your best riders even if you have more possibilities on paper. Another reason to bring them to the Tour and Vuelta is that there are a number of riders whoe will be able to make a big step by going to a grand tour with a certain tranquility without being constrained to a compelling work that would be the case if they had a leader like Nairo or Alexander. Now they can think about their personal opportunities," he said.