Sara Martín, the under-23 Spanish women's road race and time trial champion, will join the Movistar women's World Tour in 2021 on a two-year contract, it was announced today.

Martín is currently studying chemistry at the University of Valladolid and is a member of the Sopera women's team, where she has been for the past three seasons. By transferring to Movistar next year, she will be able to complete her university coursework while getting to know her new teammates.

"Taking this step is really exciting for me. It was really important for me to make the step from junior to UCI elite team three years ago in Sopera." To have the chance to be in the WorldTour with world-class athletes like [Mitchelton-Scott's] Annemiek van Grooten is a great opportunity for me. Since taking my first steps into full-time cycling, I've progressed every year."

On what he hopes to accomplish in his first season at the WorldTour level while continuing his studies, Martín continued: "I hope to support the team wherever I am needed, learn as much as I can, and squeeze every bit of experience from the teammates I meet. I hope to learn as much as I can and squeeze every experience out of the teammates I meet."

"Going to the world's best competitions helps me progress technically and tactically, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to play in the world's most prestigious tournaments.

"I have always placed importance on studying chemistry and it is important for my future, it requires focus and discipline to combine it with professional sports, which also helps with cycling.

"I'm pretty demanding of myself. And when I'm done with my studies, I want to progress further as a rider and as a person. At the end of the day, I want to "give it my all," that's my motto."

Martín will represent Spain in the elite women's individual time trial at the World Championships in Imola, Italy on Thursday and will also compete in the elite women's road race on Saturday.