Andrey Amador and Movistar terminate contract amid battle to join Ineos
The Costa Rican was spotted riding in Ineos kit while training in December


Andrey Amador and Movistar have agreed to terminate his contract as the rider has been fighting to leave his team for Ineos.
Amador was spotted wearing Team Ineos kit during a training rider in December as he has been trying to free himself from a pre-contract agreement that tied him to Movistar until 2021.
The Spanish WorldTour team announced on Tuesday (February 11) that Amador’s contract had been terminated and that he was now free to leave the team.
A statement from the team said: “Movistar announces on Tuesday it has reached an agreement with Andrey Amador for the termination of the contract between both parties.
“We wish Andrey all the best in his future endeavours, after 11 successful years together. Thank you."
News emerged in September that 33-year-old Amador wanted to cancel his renewed deal with Movistar after signing an agreement at the end of the Tour de France.
Amador was thought to be following his old team-mate Richard Carapaz to British WorldTour squad Ineos, but Movistar resisted his attempts to leave.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The case ended up in front of the UCI arbitration board over Christmas, but is now believed to be resolved after the announcement by Movistar.
Amador started his WorldTour career with Movistar, then Caisse d’Epargne, back in 2010 and has been with the squad since.
In 2012 he won a stage of the Giro d’Italia and went on to finish fourth overall in the Italian Grand Tour in 2015.
>>> Egan Bernal says Primož Roglič will be strongest in the Tour de France
Amador hasn’t raced since the World Championships in Yorkshire on September 2019 because of the dispute, while Ineos have not yet confirmed his signing.
But he was spotted by a fan riding a Pinarello bike and wearing a Team Ineos kit while training near his home in La Garriga, Spain last December.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
‘I got my first period in 15 years the morning of a big race, and didn’t know what to do’ — how pro racers deal with periods
Many female athletes have irregular periods or none at all - here’s my experience in getting a regular cycle back
By Sarah Sturm Published
-
'You just had to go full gas' - Matthew Brennan wins first WorldTour race on dramatic stage one of Volta a Catalunya
19-year-old Brit makes it four wins in a row
By Adam Becket Published
-
'An unprecedented opportunity for brands to be part of the evolution' - Ineos Grenadiers sponsor hunt steps up with sales agency partnership
Sportfive have been employed to find "non-endemic global partners for the team"
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We've all got a little bit extra in us this year' - Ineos Grenadiers recapture 'fighting spirit' with aggressive Paris-Nice display
British team continue to put tumultuous 2024 behind them with momentum and a new found mentality
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Could a TotalEnergies deal be the end of Ineos Grenadiers as we know them?
Reports suggested this week that Ineos could be close to signing a deal with the French petrochemical firm
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'They’re racing with their hearts again' - Robbie McEwen on Ineos Grenadiers' bright start to 2025
The British squad have already won four times in 2025
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers are entertaining so far this year, but how long will it last?
The British WorldTour squad have won four times already in 2025, but more than that, they have been fun. Is this the new dawn?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Caleb Ewan says he was put in a 'bad situation' by Jayco AlUla before he joined Ineos Grenadiers
Ewan joined Ineos Grenadiers in January after spending just one year with Jayco AlUla
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'There's no bull****, that's what I've always liked' - Geraint Thomas's first BC coach Rod Ellingworth on the retiring Welshman
The 2018 Tour de France winner will step away from professional cycling at the end of the season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'It is time to change goals' - Egan Bernal's coach confirms Ineos Grenadiers exit
'I want to thank all the cyclists I have had the opportunity to coach over the past ten years' Xabier Artetxe says in LinkedIn post
By Tom Thewlis Published