Is Cian Uijtdebroeks just the first building block of a completely revamped Movistar? New technical director explains
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Follow us on GoogleCian Uijtdebroeks's move to Movistar was perhaps not one many people had expected. The Belgian terminated his ongoing contract with Visma | Lease a Bike and announced that Movistar is really laying a solid foundation for outstanding performances in the future. This is confirmed by Matt White, who, after a long period with Jayco AlUla, is now setting the course for the Spanish team.
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White had been with Jayco AlUla and GreenEdge Cycling since 2012, but was sidelined during the past season. After a well-deserved vacation, White signed with Movistar, a team he had, of course, seen in the peloton all those years. “It’s been an organisation that’s been around longer than any other, and that comes with a lot of respect after what they’ve done over the years,” he said in an interview with Daniel Benson.
For years, Movistar was Alejandro Valverde's team, with far too many leaders in the Grand Tours and a controversial Netflix series... Under White, some things will change. “The team has said they want to make some changes, but they want to keep their DNA. I'm going to be part of that.”
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Matt White in his younger years as sports director at GreenEdge Cycling
Matt White talks about "great talent" at Movistar
With Spanish as the language of communication, many Spanish-speaking staff and management, and a Spanish sponsor, White is the English-speaking man who may have been missing. The 51-year-old Australian wants to internationalize, as Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale has done under its French name. Uijtdebroeks is only the first building block of a completely revamped Movistar.
“Teams have to change if you want to be successful, and we are on the right track,” says White. “I want to make this organization the best possible version of itself. Of course, the team relies on my experience in selecting players because they want to make Movistar a more international team. I am entering a new environment and I am looking forward to it. I see it as a great challenge.”
With Uijtdebroeks, Roger Adrìa (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Juan Pédro López (Lidl-Trek), Raúl García Pierna (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), and Pavel Novák (MBH Bank Ballan CSB), a lot of new blood has already been brought in. What's next? "There is amazing talent in this selection for the coming years. The challenge will be to create an environment in which they can be the best version of themselves."
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the calendar: is cyclocross mainly preparation for the spring classics, or does he race it as a separate goal as well? I’d love to see him back in the mud.jeremya04-11-2026
- The article makes it sound as if Roubaix is the only classic where he has a realistic shot. He’s been close in Flanders too, and one good tactical day can change everything.jennifer1904-11-2026
- Milan-Sanremo and Roubaix is a pretty special pair of Monuments. Any clues yet on which cyclocross races he’ll target?andrewf04-11-2026
- He’s right to be realistic about Flanders with Pogačar and Evenepoel around, but you can’t count Van Aert out on those roads. If he gets the right opportunity, he has the engine and experience to take it.davidm04-11-2026
- That Roubaix win felt like such a release after all the near-misses. Brilliant to hear that joy outweighed relief for Wout.patriciaw04-11-2026
- Why would a mountain time trial be different from a normal one? Is it just that the riders have to climb the whole course?samanthak03-11-2026
- I don’t quite buy the “fear of failure” argument. Riders can race the Giro and still have confidence in July; it comes down to recovery and planning, doesn’t it?patriciaw03-11-2026
- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026