Movistar Trio tipped for success at Tour de France

Movistar recently announced that Nairo Quintana, Alejandro Valverde and the newly recruited Mikel Landa will head up the team's assault on the Yellow Jersey

A strong Movistar are now Team Sky's closest rival and the line up represents their strongest challenge for the yellow jersey next July.

On several stages of the 2017 Tour de France, Landa had to sacrifice his chances to help Froome secure his Victory. The Spanish outfit ironically snapped up climbing specialist Landa from Team Sky with the objective of ending Sky and Froome's grip on the Tour. 

Movistar's task could be made even easier if Chris Froome is sanctioned for an adverse drugs test result after winning the 2017 Vuelta a Espana.

It was revealed that Froome had twice the permissible amount of asthma medication Salbutamol in his system during the Vuelta.

The UCI, cycling's world governing body demanded the British rider to provide more information, in line with World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines he has not been suspended.

If Froome fails to provide a satisfactory answer the UCI could proceed with an anti-doping rule violation case, which could strip him of his Vuelta victory and result in him missing a large chunk of next season.

"We have the riders with the ideal profile to believe in winning the Tour, which is one of the few races we have still to win," said Movistar general manager Eusebio Unzue.

Quintana has won both the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana. He also finished runner-up to Froome at the 2013 and 2015 Tour de France.

The Colombian only managed 12th this year after going for the Tour-Giro double which left him fatigued. He finished second to Tom Dumoulin at the Giro d'Italia before riding the Tour de France.

Quintana will start his season on home soil at the Colombia Oro y Paz race between February 6 and 11.

Valverde tragically broke his knee cap in atrocious weather conditions at the opening time trial at the 2017 Tour de France, he will make his return at the Mallorca Challenge at the end of January. 

Mikel Landa will make  Movistar debut and start his season at the Tour of Andalusia from February 14-18.

Movistar has multiple cards to play, with two overall contenders, with Valverde able to head up domestique side of the team's support and potentially target a stage win.

Movistar are a force to be reckoned with next July!