“Movistar Team returns to the Volta à Portugal race, 19 years after its last participation, in 2002, when it still competed under the name of i.Banesto.com”, said the team in a statement released on social networks.

The Spanish team stressed that the Volta a Portugal is a “very dear” race to the team and that it is watched by cycling fans “always with great interest”.

The presence of the World Tour team marks the return of a top cycling team to the Portuguese competition, which has not happened since 2011, when Lampre was present.

The Movistar team includes one Portuguese rider, Nélson Oliveira, who is representing Portugal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.