Laboral Kutxa-Euskaltel has officially announced the departure of rider Lourdes Ostolaza, bringing an end to a six-year chapter with the Basque cycling structure. The rider from Zarautz is set to continue her career abroad after signing a multi-year contract with the Norwegian UCI Women’s WorldTour team Uno-X Mobility through the 2029 season.
A Six-Year Journey in the Basque Peloton
Over six seasons, Lourdes Ostolaza grew alongside the Laboral Kutxa program as the team evolved from a regional squad into a prominent force on the international calendar. The Basque outfit released an emotional farewell statement honoring her contribution to the squad, emphasizing that she «will always be part of this purple family.» During her tenure, Ostolaza established herself as a reliable climber and a key tactical asset in stage races and demanding one-day events across the European calendar.
Stepping Up to the WorldTour with Uno-X
By signing with Uno-X through 2029, Ostolaza secures a long-term commitment at the highest tier of professional women’s cycling. The Norwegian team has steadily invested in strengthening its climbing and stage-racing core to challenge for top-ten general classification results in WorldTour events. For Ostolaza, the transition to the Scandinavian setup provides a stable, long-term platform to test her limits against the peloton’s elite riders in the mountains.
What Lies Ahead for Both Teams
As Laboral Kutxa-Euskaltel reshapes its roster for the upcoming campaign, the team must fill the leadership void left by Ostolaza’s departure. Meanwhile, Uno-X is scheduled to integrate its new signing into early-season training camps ahead of the spring classics and the subsequent Grand Tour calendar. Official updates regarding the 2025 race rosters and early-season start lists will be published on the respective team websites as the new cycling campaign approaches.
