# Belgian Champion Rune Herregodts Joins Movistar Team The 28-year-old cyclist signs a three-year contract following his national title victory. - **Source:** [Cyclingnews](https://www.cyclingnews.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f4e931b8-272d-4f6a-95c5-37d0573b83d9 ## Strategic Roster Expansion The Movistar Team has officially secured Belgian champion Rune Herregodts on a three-year contract. The 28-year-old cyclist transitions to the Spanish WorldTour squad following his tenure with UAE Team Emirates-XRG. This move marks a significant shift for the rider as he seeks to capitalize on his recent professional momentum and experience. ## National Title Breakthrough Herregodts gained prominence this year by winning the Belgian national road race title. Competing on a flat course near Antwerp, he successfully escaped from a large breakaway group. His victory was particularly notable as he managed to foil race favorites like Jasper Philipsen during a highly competitive and tactical event. ## Professional Career Trajectory The rider began his elite career with Flanders-Baloise in 2021, where he secured wins at the Ronde van Drenthe and a stage of the Ruta del Sol. He later transitioned to the WorldTour level with Intermarché in 2023, eventually winning the ZLM Tour in 2024 before joining the UAE Team Emirates. ## Integration and Team Dynamics Herregodts will be the second Belgian rider on the Movistar roster, joining Cian Uijtdebroeks who recently moved from Visma-Lease a Bike. The two riders have already communicated regarding the team's internal culture and operational methods. Herregodts expressed confidence that this environment will provide the necessary support to further develop his professional cycling career. ## Management Perspective on Talent Sebastián Unzué, the Head of Sports at Movistar, highlighted that Herregodts is joining the team at a point of full maturity. Unzué emphasized that the rider possesses the specific experience and quality required to contribute effectively across various terrains. The team expects his arrival to provide significant value to their competitive group. ## Performance Goals and Expectations Looking ahead to the next season, Herregodts aims to leverage his strengths as a breakaway specialist and fast finisher. He intends to utilize the team's performance-oriented environment to secure more opportunities in Classics and stage races. The rider remains convinced that this collaborative partnership will lead to successful outcomes in upcoming competitions. ## Context of Recent Performance While his time with UAE Team Emirates was described as less fruitful, the Belgian national title stood out as a singular, major victory. This win served as a career-defining moment, proving his capability to perform under pressure. Movistar is betting on this potential to bolster their performance in future WorldTour road events. ## Future Competitive Outlook As the road season concludes, the focus shifts toward team integration and preparation for the 2025 campaign. Herregodts is expected to play a versatile role within the Spanish squad. His ability to navigate breakaways will be a key tactical asset for Movistar as they look to improve their standing in major races. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.cyclingnews.com/pro-cycling/transfers/belgian-champion-leaves-uae-team-emirates-xrg-for-three-year-deal-with-movistar/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._