Colombian Cyclist Lopez Signs Movistar Deal
Colombian Cyclist Lopez Signs Movistar Deal
Colombian climber Miguel Angel Lopez will ride for Movistar next season after five years at Astana.
Colombian climbing specialist Miguel Angel Lopez will ride for Movistar next season after five years at Astana, his new team announced on Tuesday.
Lopez, 26, finished third at the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España in 2018, and won a stage atop the Col de la Loze on his Tour de France debut this year.
He is the fifth new recruit for the 2021 season by Movistar, joining Puerto Rico's Abner Gonzalez, Spanish duo Ivan Garcia and Gonzalo Serrano, and Austrian cyclist Gregor Mühlberger.
"I'm so happy to be part of one of the most important teams in the world of cycling," Lopez said in a statement.
"As I've always done, I'll try to achieve my fullest potential to represent the Movistar team and the people of Colombia in the best possible way.
Team principal Eusebio Unzué believes the arrival of Lopez will increase the team's potential at the biggest races.
"Miguel Angel Lopez's signing marks a really important addition to our men's team," said Unzué.
"He's someone who knows well what it takes to step onto the podium of the Grand Tours, and who's achieved important victories in one-week stage races."