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'Things weren't very clear' – Paula Blasi says UAE management decisions amongst 'mixture of things' that led to exit for Movistar

Paula Blasi has officially signed with Movistar on a three-year contract following a protracted transfer saga that began earlier in the summer. The 23-year-old Spanish rider, who secured victory at La Vuelta Femenina in May, cited leadership friction and vague race instructions during her tenure with UAE Team L'IMAD as key drivers for her departure.

She noted that an absence of definitive tactics created internal competition among riders rather than a unified team effort.

During the Tour de France Femmes, Blasi initially appeared positioned for shared leadership before adapting to a support role for Elisa Longo Borghini, who ultimately secured a podium placement while Blasi finished fifth in Nice. Reflecting on her time with the squad, Blasi expressed frustration regarding a lack of trust and support as she developed rapidly from a relative novice into a top-tier competitor, describing the months-long transfer process as an exhausting ordeal.

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