The world of competitive cycling has undergone a particular evolution since its birth. Many things have changed but there is a trend that has remained constant: there is increasing professionalism within the teams.
From the first to the last employee of a cycling team, they are now absolute professionals, people who are exclusively dedicated to the team and who have a specific role in it. Miguel Grávalos, CEO of Abarca Sports (the company that manages the Movistar Team), tells in an interview conducted by the telephone team itself how the squad is managed business-wise. From PlanetaBici.com we tell you what you need to know about it.
The Movistar Team is made up of 120 people. In order for cyclists to be present in races all over the world throughout the year, there are many people invisible to the general public who are absolutely essential for the operation of the team.
It is also important to understand the logistical complexity involved in managing a team of this size. Of the 120 people, 90 of them do not have a fixed headquarters but are constantly moving around. We are talking about staff such as team managers, masseurs, mechanics and all those people who personally assist the runners during their tests.
In addition, the Movistar Team in particular has a fleet of 30 vehicles that is also vital to organize in order to offer the correct support to its riders.
The other 30 people, with permanent headquarters, are in charge of increasing the value of the team. They are the members of the marketing, advertising or communication section. A vital part for any team to work as they are the main ones in charge of balancing the accounts at the end of the year.
Of course a professional team has a much greater depth than it seems. An iceberg of which we can only appreciate the tip in the form of runners, but which involves many more people even though they are not seen. Only with the sum of what protrudes from the surface and what is below it is it possible for a professional team to work.
