SOPHIE HURCOM MO VIS TAR’ S WOMEN’ S TEAM STEPS FORWARD

As well as unveiling a new kit for 2018 that looks like a cross between Astana and Team Sky’s light blue offerings, Movistar confirmed that next year it would also be launching a women’s team for the first time in its history.

The Spanish squad said the new team was a signal of how strong women’s cycling is in the country, and a commitment from them to offer Spanish riders the “best conditions possible to compete in the international peloton.”

The team follows in the footsteps of Astana, Orica-Scott, FDJ, Lotto Soudal and Sunweb, who all run women’s teams parallel to their men’s WorldTour squads.

Movistar’s move is significant for the fact that the team is a peloton stalwart. Dating all the way back to 1980, it’s the longest-running team in the sport and counts one of the healthiest budgets. Female riders will use the same kit and technology as the men’s team, and the backing of an established sponsor is another big step forward in equality.

Orica and Sunweb have shown it is possible to balance resources and produce two successful outfits. Orica’s Dutch rider Annemiek van Vleuten currently leads the UCI’s individual world ranking and counts 11 victories on her palmarès this year, while Sunweb is ranked second in the world among women’s teams.

The new Team Movistar becomes the third Spanish women’s team after Bizkaia-Durango and Lointek, and will also work with the Spanish Cycling Federation to fund grassroots projects. The stage is now set for more teams to come forward and consider doing the same.