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Valverde conquers Arrate

Alejandro Valverde won this Friday in Arrate, the end of the fifth stage of the Tour of the Basque Country, his eighth triumph of the season. The rider from Movistar Team continues with his exceptional start of the season, beating Romain Bardet (Ag2r-La Mondiale) and the Colombian Rigoberto Urán (Cannondale) in a small group. Valverde also dresses the yellow jersey thanks to this victory.

Quotes: “I knew I had to get the first position into the last corner, but when I beat Purito I came in second place. When you enter first here you always have it easier. I’ve tried it on the last climb. I have seen that they suffered but I also suffered. It was difficult, so what I have done has been to accelerate to catch the two leaders, because I knew that I was the favorite in the sprint to get the victory. Samuel Sánchez has fallen in front of me. It’s a shame, things happen. We have a chance tomorrow but whatever comes out I will be happy, whether I win or not. I have eight victories and now I am the leader here in the Basque Country. Whatever happens, I’m satisfied. “

The race is decided this Saturday with an individual time trial of 27 km with the climb to Elgeta in the first kilometers. It is a complicated route where Valverde will have to fight against specialists like Ion Izagirre or riders of the entity of Alberto Contador or Rigoberto Urán.

Photo: Movistar Team / Photo Gómez Sport