Two-year extension for French allrounder
Experienced talent from Brittany one of only four riders to have been part of Telefónica-backed squad since its inception in 2018; will stay in Blue colours for at least seven seasons.
Willing to retain one of their most consistent, reliable assets for the foreseeable feature, the Movistar Team are delighted to announce a contract extension for Aude Biannic (Landerneau, FRA; 1991) for the next two years, 2023 and 2024.
The French rider’s value has been visible both as an individual and team player. She’s been one of the main pieces of support for the Telefónica-backed squad’s leaders in recent years, most notably Emma Norsgaard -Biannic her guide at sprints or big classics- and Annemiek van Vleuten. She’s also shone with strong individual performances in WorldTour events like The Women’s Tour (5th overall in 2021), Paris-Roubaix -in the mix until the very end in last year’s inaugural edition- or the Tour of Norway (6th in the 2018 GC). She captured the Movistar Team’s first UCI success -the 2018 Lotto Belgium Tour prologue-, wore the national champion jersey and represented the French national team at several World and European Championships.
Biannic is one of only four members to have been part of every single Movistar Team women’s roster since the squad was created in 2018. This contract extension means the rider from Brittany will be part of the Abarca Sports organisation for at least seven years.
Aude Biannic: “I’m so proud to be able to continue with this team, who have already become a true family for me, feeling so at ease with every single member. It’s going to be already seven years with the team, and I see everyone growing every season, both the individuals and the team as a whole improving every year, which is so motivating. The choice to stay was easy to take, because of the confidence everyone puts on me. I’m heading into the upcoming few months with great excitement – our goal is to do our best the Giro Donne + Tour Femmes, with such a great team and our ambition to go for GC success at both, and the morale is really high at the moment. It’s going to be a really special month of July for me, with that first Tour Femmes for me, in my country, with my home crowds. I just hope I can get there in my best condition to give my maximum and hopefully offer the Movistar Team fans some great joy.”
Sebastián Unzué: “I’m so, so happy about this contract extension. Aude is one of the riders who have stayed with us since the very first year of this project, and she’s turned into one of the key factors for this organisation’s success. She’s earned the confidence of all of our leaders, and rightfully so, because her work is impeccable and, when she’s enjoyed the chance to also fight for results for herself, she’s performed at a very high level. It was so important for us to confirm her inside the team for the future and make this two-year extension happen, because having her with us through 2024 means extending through to the Paris Olympics, which makes it so special. We’re excited to be working together for the remainder of 2022 – looking very much forward to the Giro + Tour, where she should be essential for our ambitions goals – and continue to see her growing in 2023-24, as one of the strongest allrounders in the peloton. I’m really thankful for the confidence she’s shown us – it’s been a long time with her in, and her commitment to this project has been excellent.”