Fernando Gaviria’s top speed rounds off Movistar Team’s 2023 roster

Third men's signing for next year

Renowned Colombian sprinter (28), winner of stages in the Tour de France + Giro d’Italia, set to join Telefónica-backed squad next year.

A top-level sprinter crowns the men’s Movistar Team’s ‘Signing Day’ for 2023. After previous announcements on Wednesday that Iván Romeo and Ruben Guerreiro will join the squad next year, the Telefónica-backed outfit completes its market rally with the signing of Fernando Gaviria (La Ceja, Antioquia, COL; 1994). Coming from UAE Team Emirates, he’s inked a one-season contract, ending on 31st December next year.

In the Maglia Ciclamino of the Giro d’Italia.

At almost 50 pro victories, Colombia’s Gaviria looks forward to showing his enormous quality with the Movistar Team, after numerous health issues prevented him from doing so in recent times. Five stage wins in the Giro d’Italia -where he also took home the Maglia Ciclamino from in his debut, 2017-; two victories in the Tour de France (2018), where he wore the Maillot Jaune; WorldTour wins in races like Tirreno, Pologne, UAE or California; or the 2016 Paris-Tours all speak loads about his sprinting prowess.

Wearing the Maillot Jaune of the Tour de France.

Gaviria’s signing takes up to 18 the account of Colombian riders to have made part of Eusebio Unzué’s teams since 1980, which shows the strong commitment the Movistar Team has with the country. Four of those athletes will wear the Blue jersey in 2023: Iván Sosa, Einer Rubio and Antioquia’s Gaviria and Paula Patiño, both hailing from La Ceja… and originally coached by Hernando, the father of the team’s most recent signing.

During the 2022 season with UAE Team Emirates. (c) Sprint Cycling Agency

QUOTES / Fernando Gaviria:

“It’s a new challenge, both for me personally and surely for the team as a whole. I’m joining such a prestigious team which, on the other hand, has been so far focused on the climbing side of the sport. Having them trust me as a sprinter gives me extra motivation, because I want to represent well this organisation, with its stature, its history, all big legends that have raced for it. It makes me happy to have that challenge ahead for next year. The main thing for 2023 is to try and fit the best into the team — I’m really looking forward to meeting all team-mates and seek for the best way to become a strong group alongside them, to try and contest as many race wins as possible.”