Unzué on Tour Strategy
Movistar Manager Eusebio Unzué Acknowledges Pogacar's Dominance for Upcoming Tour de France Challenge
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Eusebio Unzué, manager of the Movistar Team, has made a stark admission ahead of the Tour de France: with Tadej Pogačar in the race, no one else can realistically fight for the win.
Unzué told La Provincia and other Spanish outlets that the goal for his riders is simply to "finish the Tour as well as possible" given Pogačar's dominance. The Slovenian star, who won the 2024 Tour de France in crushing fashion, has set a standard that the Movistar manager believes no rival can currently match.
Unzué Sees Pogačar as Unbeatable at the Tour
Movistar's manager did not mince words about the state of modern road cycling. According to Diario de Mallorca, Unzué said that with Pogačar in the race, "the rest of us can only aim to finish the Tour as well as possible." It is a candid admission from one of cycling's most experienced team bosses.
Unzué has led Movistar — formerly Banesto and then Caisse d'Epargne — for decades. He guided riders like Miguel Induráin and Alejandro Valverde to Grand Tour glory. His words carry weight. When he says a rival is untouchable, the cycling world listens.
Young Star Blasi Attracting Interest From Top Teams
Unzué also spoke about one of cycling's most exciting young talents: Cian Uijtdebroeks — though the name generating the most buzz in his comments was Movistar's own promising rider, Blasi. According to El Correo Gallego, Unzué said: "Blasi is the target of many teams because his progression is spectacular."
Blasi's rapid development has put him on the radar of several top WorldTour squads. Movistar faces the challenge of holding onto a young talent that rivals are eager to sign. Unzué's public comments suggest he is aware of the pressure — and likely using the praise to underline Blasi's value to the team.
Movistar Rebuilding After Years Without a Grand Tour Leader
Movistar has struggled to find a consistent Grand Tour leader since Nairo Quintana and Richard Carapaz left the team. The squad has leaned on collective racing rather than a single top climber. Unzué's honest take on Pogačar reflects that reality: Movistar is in a building phase, not a winning-the-Tour phase.
Still, Unzué remains optimistic about the team's future. Riders like Blasi represent the next generation. The manager's strategy appears to be developing young talent in-house while competing hard for stage wins and minor classification spots at the biggest races.
Pogačar's Shadow Looms Over the Entire Peloton
Pogačar's dominance is not just Movistar's problem. The 26-year-old Slovenian won the 2024 Tour de France by more than 6 minutes. He also won the Giro d'Italia in the same year — a feat not seen since Marco Pantani in 1998. His form heading into future Tours makes rivals uneasy across every squad.
Unzué's comments reflect a wider mood in the peloton. As La Opinión de Málaga reported, even experienced managers now speak openly about managing expectations rather than chasing outright victory. For most teams, a Tour podium or a stage win would be considered a major success — as long as Pogačar is racing.
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