Signs two-year contract

Norwegian youngster, 24, joins Telefónica-backed squad through end of 2021; hopes to take decisive leap forward in top stageraces and mountainous courses.

The Movistar Team announced Tuesday that Katrine Aalerud (Vestby, NOR; 1994) has signed a two-year contract -through the end of the 2021 season- with the squad managed by Sebastián Unzué and Jorge Sanz.

The Telefónica-backed squad will thus enjoy the services of one of the strongest up-and-coming talents in the WorldTour. In 2019, only her third year racing for a UCI team, the Norwegian finished 7th overall in the Emakumeen Bira, confirming a progression that saw her climbing with the best in 2018 at the Tour de l’Ardèche -9th GC, 7th atop the Mont Ventoux- or the Giro Rosa -10th at the Monte Zoncolan-. Aalerud is also a solid time trialist, having claimed silver at her national TT back in June.

“Katrine is a great reinforcement and a huge prospect when it comes to tough stageraces,” explained Sebastián Unzué, manager of the women’s Movistar Team. “Despite her short career in the top tier of cycling, she’s already notched up remarkable results, both in WorldTour multi-day events and grueling mountain-top finishes, most times showing an outstanding level for her young age. She’s also a strong TT riders, which makes us hold great hopes for her good future in diverse stageraces. We continue to revamp our roster for next season with young, talented riders, which makes us all excited at the Movistar Team about our near future and also gives loads of motivation to our riders heading into next season.”

Cover picture (c): Velofocus