Miguel Ángel López Joins Movistar Team for 2024 Giro d'Italia

Colombian cyclist Miguel Ángel López from Boyacá has joined the Movistar Team alongside compatriots Éiner Rubio and Fernando Gaviria for the 2024 Giro d'Italia. The 107th edition of the Giro, the first grand tour of the season, will take place in Italy from May 4 to 26, 2024.

The official pre-registration list for the Giro includes a total of 176 cyclists from 30 different nationalities and 22 teams. Among the recent winners of the Italian grand tour are Primoz Roglic (2023), Jai Hindley (2022), Egan Bernal (2021), and Nairo Quintana (2014). The Movistar Team, which will include López, Rubio, and Gaviria, is one of the 22 teams participating in the 2024 edition.

The 2024 Giro d'Italia will cover a total distance of 3,321 kilometers, featuring two individual time trials, five mountain stages, and six flat stages. Seven Colombian cyclists will represent the country in the event, with Movistar Team having the most national riders at three. Nairo Quintana, who is returning to the Giro after a seven-year absence, has ruled out fighting for the overall title but remains one of the main cards for the Movistar Team.

Why this matters: The participation of top Colombian cyclists in the 2024 Giro d'Italia showcases the country's strength in the sport and its potential to make a significant impact on the international cycling stage. The event also provides an opportunity for these athletes to inspire and unite Colombians through their performances.

The preliminary startlist for the race features a number of top cyclists, including favorites Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic, as well as strong contenders like Geraint Thomas, Damiano Caruso, and Julian Alaphilippe. The race will also showcase a strong field of sprinters, such as Jonathan Milan, Caleb Ewan, and Fernando Gaviria, and a diverse group of stage hunters, including Filippo Ganna and Cristophe Laporte.

Nairo Quintana, who has recovered from an injury sustained last month, acknowledged that he may not be in the best shape for the Giro but aims to target stage wins and mountain stages. "The winner is always the winner, and I have a great responsibility to assist the team with my experience," Quintana stated, expressing his willingness to sacrifice his leadership role to help his Movistar teammates if needed.

Key Takeaways

• Colombian cyclist Miguel Ángel López joins Movistar Team for 2024 Giro d'Italia.
• The 2024 Giro d'Italia will cover 3,321 km, with 2 ITTs, 5 mountain stages, and 6 flat stages.
• 7 Colombian cyclists will represent the country, with Movistar having the most at 3.
• The preliminary startlist features top cyclists like Pogacar, Roglic, and Alaphilippe.
• Nairo Quintana aims for stage wins and mountain stages, willing to assist his team if needed.