Five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain expressed bewilderment at Movistar's major leadership shakeup for the 2020 season, but is looking forward to the success of new Grand Tour leader Enric Mas.

In an interview with the Spanish sports newspaper AS, when asked about Movistar, Indurain noted that "there are many departures."

"I am perplexed by this sudden change of direction, as the team usually maintains a very stable rider composition," said the best Spanish bicycle rider in history.

"Nairo Quintana is gone, and Richard Calapaz, who won the Giro d'Italia, is gone," noted Indurain.

"It's a strategy Movistar hasn't taken in other years.

"Hopefully the new players will keep the team at a good level. These changes are complicated, but the team will have reasons to do so. If [Alejandro] Valverde and Enric Mas fit in well with the team, we will have great results."

While losing several top riders, Movistar has signed 12 new riders for 2020, including Mas and experienced stage race rider Dario Cataldo of Astana, Italy, as well as Gabriel Caray of Team Wiggins in England, AG2 Matteo Jorgensen, who was a stager for R La Mondiale, and 2019 Tour de Laveneil stage winner Matthias Norsgaard, among many other young riders.

Mas is expected to compete in the 2020 Tour de France, and Valverde will also use the French Grand Tour to prepare for a snowball's chance at the Tokyo Olympics. On Saturday, Movistar announced that it will use Yale clothing after Endura ends its sponsorship.

Indurain had spoken with AS after receiving a certificate of participation from the Spanish Olympic Committee at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. He abstained from the road race that year, but won gold in the time trial at the 1996 Atlanta Games, ahead of compatriot Abraham Olano and Britain's Chris Boardman.

Indurain also paid tribute to the late Raymond Poulidor, who died last week, calling him "a reference point in cycling and a very passionate racer," and analyzed the current state of cycling in Spain.

"Valverde, Marc Soler, Mas, the Izaguirre brothers, and Mikel Landa, who wants to retire after Tokyo 2020. They are all at a good level.