Doublet of Valverde

The general classification of the Tour of Valencia was decided this Saturday in the brief but intense climb to Las Canteras, a little mountain located on the outskirts of Cocentaina (Alicante). Its hard ramps could give a turn to a tight classification in its first places, after the victory of Alejandro Valverde in the second stage of the Valencian round.

Valverde and his teammates from Team Movistar managed cleverly the development of the stage. They maintained the unity until the last kilometers. Already on the ramps of the final climb, the leader controlled the attempts of his most dangerous rivals, hunting Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) in the final meters to claim alone his second success of the season, the 110th victory of his career, and consolidate his first position in the general.

Statements: Once again I must thank the entire team for the work they have done during the stage. In the end ,I have already been in charge of finishing the great task of everyone. At one point we accelerated to catch the break but we let Kwiatkowski leave to keep the unity. The second victory feels great. I continue as leader, it is the second victory with only six-seven days of competition. I do not know if I’ve returned the same, I’m about to say it’s almost better, but the important thing is that we’re still up here.

The Vuelta a Valencia concludes this Sunday with a route between Paterna and Valencia, a very appropriate stage for the fast men.

Photo: Vuelta a Valencia