Spanish cyclist Paula Blasi has spoken about the difficult process of leaving UAE Team L’Imad ahead of her move to Movistar next season. The 23-year-old rider said her departure became a long and frustrating dispute, despite her efforts to follow the terms of her contract.
Blasi’s transfer was finally confirmed this month after months of uncertainty. However, she said her former team continued to demand more money even after she paid the agreed buyout clause.
The young climber enjoyed an impressive season, winning the Amstel Gold Race and the Vuelta Femenina. She also finished fifth at the Tour de France Femmes and claimed the white jersey as the race’s best young rider.
Despite those results, Blasi said she was unhappy with her situation at UAE Team L’Imad. Her comments have revealed tensions behind the scenes and raised questions about team management, rider roles and the business side of professional cycling.
Paula Blasi Describes a Difficult Transfer
Blasi discussed her departure in an interview with Laura Alvarez on YouTube. She explained that her decision to leave had been made before the Tour de France Femmes, even though the transfer took much longer to complete.
According to the Spanish rider, her former team did not make the process easy. She described the experience as deeply frustrating and said the dispute continued even after she paid the buyout fee included in her contract.
Blasi said the amount required to leave was relatively low. However, UAE Team L’Imad was still not satisfied after she paid it and continued asking for a much larger sum.
The situation was especially difficult because she had been earning the minimum wage throughout the year. She said she could not afford to pay the additional money requested by the team.
The disagreement left her disappointed with the way the transfer was handled. Although she understands that professional cycling is a business, she believes teams must also consider the people behind the results.
Blasi said the sport requires a human approach because riders depend on their teams for support, trust and a positive working environment. In her view, keeping riders happy should remain an important part of managing a professional squad.
Strong Results Did Not Remove Team Friction
Blasi’s season included several major achievements. Her victories at the Amstel Gold Race and the Vuelta Femenina established her as one of the rising names in women’s cycling.
Her performance at the Tour de France Femmes added to that reputation. She finished fifth overall and won the white jersey, despite not being selected as the team’s main leader.
Blasi said the decision about her role had effectively been made before the race. With her departure already in the background, she was not given the leadership position that her results might otherwise have suggested.
The situation highlighted the tension between individual ambition and team strategy. UAE Team L’Imad often had several strong riders capable of competing for victories, but Blasi said that depth sometimes created problems.
She explained that when three, four or five riders have a realistic chance of winning, clear instructions become essential. Without someone setting the pace or deciding how the team should work together, riders can end up competing against one another instead of supporting a shared plan.
Blasi said these situations sometimes felt more like a battle than a team race. Her comments suggest that a strong roster does not always guarantee success if riders lack clear roles and direction.
Blasi Criticizes Team Management
The Spanish cyclist also questioned the role of team managers in preventing internal disagreements. She believes management should provide clear leadership before important races, rather than leaving riders to resolve problems themselves.
Blasi said a leader should guide the team during competition, not simply take charge during contract negotiations. She felt that UAE Team L’Imad sometimes left riders responsible for maintaining order because management had not provided enough clarity.
Her criticism points to a wider challenge in professional cycling. Teams must balance the ambitions of several talented riders while deciding who will lead, who will support and how race tactics should change.
Without clear decisions, riders may struggle to understand their responsibilities. That can lead to tension and reduce the team’s ability to work toward a common goal.
For Blasi, the issue was not simply about winning races. It was also about trust and the support she expected from the people managing her career.
Elisa Longo Borghini Helped Calm the Situation
The Tour de France Femmes proved to be a particularly challenging experience for Blasi. She entered the race as a domestique, a rider expected to support a teammate, but ultimately emerged as one of the strongest performers in the squad.
Transfer rumours also placed her under pressure. Journalists frequently asked questions about her future, making it harder for her to focus fully on the competition.
Blasi credited experienced teammate Elisa Longo Borghini with helping bring calm to the situation. She said Longo Borghini provided reassurance at a time when outside attention and media headlines had become overwhelming.
The young Spaniard admitted that some reports made her reluctant to give further interviews. As it was her first Tour de France, she said she trusted Longo Borghini’s judgment and support.
A New Chapter With Movistar
Blasi will now prepare for a fresh start with Movistar next season. Her move ends a difficult period marked by contract negotiations and concerns about her role within UAE Team L’Imad.
Her achievements this year have shown that she can compete at the highest level of women’s cycling. The next challenge will be to build on that success in a new environment.
Blasi’s comments make clear that sporting results are only one part of a rider’s experience. Clear leadership, trust and fair treatment can also shape a professional career.
With her transfer confirmed, the Spanish climber will hope to leave the dispute behind and focus on racing. Her move to Movistar offers an opportunity to begin again with a team where she can pursue her ambitions and continue developing as one of the sport’s promising talents.
