Movistar (open in new tab) has announced that Annemiek van Fruten (open in new tab) will run for the Women's World Tour team in 2021 and 2022.

The current world champion recently announced that she had agreed to a two-year contract, hinting that she would not remain in the Mitchelton Scott, but Movistar has won the battle for the most successful player in the peloton.

Van Vleuten has won the last two Giro Rosa's; when the race returned after the pandemic blockade caused by COVID-19, she won five straight, and last week added the European Road Race title (open in new tab) to her long armory.

Van Vleuten revealed that her connection to the Movistar team dates back to 2014 when they invited her to train.

"My history with the Movistar team goes back many years; I got to know the team well when we shared a training ride together at a high altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada (Spain) in 2014," she said when Movistar confirmed her signing.

"I really liked the experience and it felt like a 'Spanish family' to me. The atmosphere with them was very relaxed. There was no stress in training, they were waiting for me after every climb, we spent every night after dinner together and even played table tennis with Alejandro Valverde!"

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"I feel the same way about the women's team. I see them as a great group of girls with the same culture that I saw in the Sierra Nevada. It's a fascinating project for me, as much as I look forward to working with Patsy Villa, Director of Performance."

"I'm not the youngest on the team anymore, but I'm super ambitious and want to perform well for this team. I don't think about the end of my career yet. I hope that by joining this team, this new environment, I can find new energy."

Van Vleuten spent part of his winter training in Colombia and is eager to embrace Movistar and Spanish-speaking culture.

"When it comes to Latin culture, yes, I feel like I already have some Latin blood in me!" she says. When I go to Southern Europe, I really feel at home."

"The Spanish mentality, with its sense of humor, creates a homey atmosphere and makes the riding stronger. Not only do they work hard, but they also have fun. Happy cyclists perform better."

Movistar team manager Sebastián Unzué emphasized how much the addition of Van Vleuten will change the team.

"The Movistar team was before and after Annemiek came. The addition of Annemiek will dramatically change the team's approach to the competitive side of things for the next few years." The addition of Annemieke will dramatically change the team's approach to the competitive side of things for the next few years. Her greatest strength in the sport, in my opinion, is that she is the only rider who has the potential to win any race on the calendar."

"It's a big challenge for the team and a big motivation. It's a big challenge for the team and a big motivation."

"Annemiek is the ideal person to lead this project and perfectly represents many of the sporting and human values that this team has always wanted to instill in its members. I have always believed that great riders grow better with great role models, great mentors by their side. Anne-Mike is without a doubt the best rider in the world and our young talent will enjoy the best reflection of what it takes to succeed."