Vuelta revelation Pablo Castrillo explains why he made the surprising choice to join Movistar

The initial rumors pointed to a potential move to INEOS Grenadiers, followed by mentions of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe and Movistar as a possible new home for the Spanish talent. Ultimately, it was the Spanish team of Enric Mas that secured the climber’s signature. In an interview with Marca, Castrillo explained why he chose Movistar.

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"It was a long negotiation, and I was looking forward to the announcement. I’m very happy with the signing and eager to contribute as much as possible to the team’s success," said the 23-year-old sensation. So, why Movistar? The talented Spaniard wanted to join a Spanish team — one that would give him the freedom to race and pursue his own opportunities. "Additionally, I immediately felt a good connection with the other riders on the team, and I’m convinced of the sporting project. It’s a project that places a lot of focus on young talent. I’m really looking forward to starting with Movistar."

Where can we expect to see Castrillo racing in his brand-new Movistar kit next season? These plans didn’t seem to be a primary part of the intense negotiations. "With the WorldTour calendar, there are already many races open to me, and they are all interesting to me. A classic or a grand tour would make me very excited."