New equipment

Blues to enjoy Firecrest and NSW wheel lineups as they tackle their UCI WT / WWT competitions in 2020, their 41st season of uninterrupted activity.

Zipp and the Movistar Team proudly announced Thursday a new partnership, part of SRAM’s new sponsorship to provide the team with componentry and wheels through 2021.

Founded in 1980, with more than 900 victories to date, the men’s team is the longest-running and most successful team in the UCI’s WorldTour. That tradition continues today with team captain Alejandro Valverde (ESP) among the sport’s biggest stars and young Spanish star Enric Mas, singed as a Grand Tour leader. The women’s team, introduced in 2018, has garnered seven national titles and several major wins already and is poised for more success with signees including Barbara Guarischi of Italy.

The Movistar Team will be equipped with Zipp Firecrest and NSW wheels with tubular and tubeless offerings. This is the first season the entire team will use disc brakes. Expect the Zipp 303 and 454 NSW to be the top choices for road races and 858 NSW and Super-9 Disc for time trials.

“Zipp is a special name in cycling. Since I was young, I’ve known these are fast wheels. At team camp when we met our new sponsors, I appreciated learning more about the history of innovation that has made these wheels so successful over so many years. Throughout my long career, I’ve always strived for consistency in motivation and results. Zipp has done just the same, and I’m thrilled to be training and racing on them in this big season for me,” Valverde said.

“Time trialing is my specialty, so having access to Zipp wheels is a huge resource for me. Zipp has a reputation for being fast but also for having wheels that are easy to handle in crosswinds. I’m lucky to be able to keep up with really high-intensity efforts over long distances, and that’s a key factor for time trials. Having the right equipment also is key, and I’m confident Zipp will make me faster,” said Lourdes Oyarbide.

“After 37 years, we are switching to SRAM and Zipp, this is a historic change that we do not take lightly, but we see a great opportunity to partner with technology leaders in drivetrain and wheels,” said Movistar Team General Manager, Eusebio Unzué.

All pictures (c): Baixauli Studio