Jürgen Rolandz, who retired from professional cycling at the end of 2020, will rejoin Movistar, but this time the Belgian rider will take the wheel and assume the role of sport director in 2023.

"My last team as a road pro was the Movistar team, and even though my results there were not the best of my career due to injuries and bad luck, I really liked that atmosphere. I was a fan of this team and I hope to give something back to them."

Laurents spent the last two seasons of his 17-year career with Movistar, winning the Belgian road race title in 2008 and seven other victories, including podium finishes at Milan-San Remo and Tour de Flanders.

Laurentz was scheduled to compete in his 10th Tour de Flanders in 2020 after the pandemic postponed the October event, but a shoulder injury sustained in a BinckBank Tour crash prevented last season's final stage from going according to plan.

"When I went inactive in 2020 because of the shoulder injury and the lockdown and everything else that surrounded that year, I immediately tried to set new goals for myself and worked with Trinity Racing for about 30 days of racing, including Baby Giro and the Tour of Britain. I had the opportunity to work with Trinity Racing for about 30 days of racing, including the Baby Giro and Tour of Britain. I loved giving advice, sharing my experiences, and mentoring the young athletes, and I learned a lot myself."

The 37-year-old also pursued personal sporting goals in retirement, including triathlons and mountain bike racing, but he said that having spent his entire career on the road made him want to return to it.

"I hope I can convey the finer details of the Classics experience, especially how to ride on cobblestones, road surfaces, tire pressure, etc.," Laurents said.

Movistar, which has managed to hold its own on the World Tour after successfully fighting to avoid relegation in 2022, has added two other new sports directors, Xavier Muriel and Yvon Ledanois. Muriel previously worked for Murias and Caja and is pursuing a PhD in sports science, while Ledanova returns to the team after working for Movistar's management company, Avarka Sports, from 2005-2012.

Retired Alejandro Valverde has also confirmed plans to join Movistar's staff, working between players, coaches, and directors.