wednesday 18 october 2023 - The Movistar Team starts on Wednesday the signing announcements for its men's squad of next season with the addition of Manlio Moro (Pordenone, Ita; 2002). The young Italian rider, a current member of the prestigious development squad Zalf Euromobil Fior, has inked a three-year contract, through the end of 2026.

At 1.90m tall and an excellent rouleur, as well as a good finisher into small groups, Moro has so far focused on the track, where his quality has opened him the doors of one of the strongest lineups: the Italian national team pursuit squad, with which he's achieved the European title, and the Worlds silver medal, in 2023.

Manlio Moro: "I've had the honour and opportunity to have already shared some days with the team at a training camp in Alicante last year, and I got in love with this organisation. Already since day two of the camp it felt like I had been with them for a very long time; they're super nice people, so easy to work with, and such a diligent staff. I'm really excited for the pre-season to go so I can join them and start working with everyone soon. Next year will be an important one for me, with the Olympic Games and the goals on the track, but I want to start developing myself on the road soon - grow as a time trialist, which is my strongest point, and also do well in the classics at some point in the future. We'll see where the road takes us, how far we can reach.

CARLOS CANAL - One of the most interesting talents in Spain will be joining the Movistar Team near year as Carlos Canal (Xinzo de Limia, Ourense, ESP; 2001), a current member of the Euskaltel - Euskadi squad, has signed a two-season contract (2024-25) with the Abarca Sports organisation.

Solid in hilly terrain as well as a strong rouleur, time trialist and also quite explosive, due to his cyclo-cross roots -he was a dual Spanish champion as a junior-, the man from Galicia has just completed a strong 2023 late season. Canal was 11th in the U23 Glasgow Worlds, was close to the top contenders at the Vueltas a Castilla y León and Burgos and took 3rd and 4th on two stages of the recent Tour de Langkawi.

Carlos Canal: "Joining the Movistar Team is a dream come true. It's a reference both in Spain and abroad, and taking the step towards the top category with them is a perfect combination. A young rider like me always dreams of making part of the ultimate Spanish squad, a place so many big riders have been at. I'd like to continue growing and see which races suit me best - which looks like the classics at the moment - and put myself to the team's service, work hard and committed to reach as far as possible. My 2023 season ended with a crash in Malaysia, but I was quite satisfied with the results, especially in the last few months. I feel like I've taken another step forward, which gives you further motivation to keep extracting fruits from what's to come. And that's basically what I'm aiming at in 2024 - taking another leap forward and see where the road leads me."

PELAYO SÁNCHEZ - The Movistar Team continues to put its hopes on the best up-and-coming talents from the Spanish peloton as it confirms on Wednesday the signing of Pelayo Sánchez (Tellego, Asturias, ESP; 2000). Coming from the Burgos - BH squad, he's inked a two-year contract, through the end of the 2025 season.

A really talented climber, Pelayo was a sensation of the 2023 season with his good performances all season. He opened his pro victory account with a solo success in Oviedo, on his home stagerace, the Vuelta a Asturias; took himself to the podium of the Portuguese race GP Beiras; and completed an excellent La Vuelta, taking 3rd (Guadarrama) and 6th (Laguna Negra de Vinuesa) into two strong breakaways while finishing near the GC contenders atop L'Angliru and La Cruz de Linares (14th).

Pelayo Sánchez: "Taking the jump towards the WorldTour is always a goal in itself when you become a pro, and being able to join the home WT outfit is a privilege. I'm so excited to meet my new team-mates and staff, and try and give my best over the next few years as a Blue. This early part of my career with Burgos - BH helped me gain massive experience and allowed me knowing what's my place inside the peloton, as well as improving on both sporting and mental standpoints. I was able to take a strong leap forward this season, contesting important races and claiming that first pro win in Asturias. The goal has to be to absorb every experience over these years and keep the ball rolling - helping my team-mates out to achieve good success and hopefully have some more chances at individual victories."