Movistar has announced the signing of Gregor Mühlberger. The Austrian climber joins from Bora-Hansgrohe on a three-year contract.

The 26-year-old Mühlberger turned pro with the German team in 2016 after winning the U23 Course de la Paix; he won the Austrian Road Race Championships in 2017, a stage win at the Binkbank Tour in 2018, and this year, his first race after the season interruption. He won the Sibiu Tour, which was his first race after the season interruption.

He has ridden six Grand Tours, including the last three Tour de France, and will be part of the Spanish team's three-week engine room, while targeting his own results in weekday and one-day races.

"I am very happy to have been given this opportunity by the team to sign on and benefit from all the opportunities that await me in the coming years," Mühlberger said. 'It's a great opportunity to improve my skills and get better in the future.' Not only will I be chasing results in the toughest one-day races and week-long mountain races like the Dauphiné and Ituria, but I want to help the leaders as much as possible in the Grand Tours. [In previous seasons, I have performed best in the third week of the Grand Tours.

"I still have a lot to improve and learn. I am very happy to have this opportunity to grow with the Movistar team and continue to get better in the coming years.

Mühlberger, who worked with Movistar head of performance Patsy Villa during his time at Bora, is the second signing for the Spanish team for the 2021 season, following Ivan Garcia Cortina at Bahrain McLaren. After saying goodbye to Mikel Landa, Nairo Quintana, and Richard Kalapas last winter, the team is undergoing a kind of restructuring, investing in young talent and expanding to Hispanic immigrants.

"Gregor's addition will bring more experience to the team next year, thanks to his extensive experience on the World Tour despite his young age," said Movistar boss Eusebio Unzué.

"He is a polyvalent rider, which is becoming increasingly important in modern cycling.