Third in Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc

Days go by and the energy does not leave to Alejandro Valverde. The Movistar Team rider was third in the 19th stage of the Tour de France, penultimate day in the mountains of a race that still dominates Chris Froome (Team Sky). Valverde accelerated the pace of a select group of favorites in the last 2 kilometers of the climb to Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc, trying to get seconds for his mate Nairo Quintana, who is now third in the overall.

His attack broke the bunch and helped him to conclude third in the stage, just behind the Frenchman Romain Bardet (Ag2r-La Mondiale) and Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha). Valverde climbs a place in the overall, ranking seventh again.

Quotes: “It was a really tough day. After the fall of Froome’s the race was open, and we could not go faster. Froome is the strongest of the race. It is true that I have been close to the victory but Bardet has attacked in the descent and I have to congratulate him. I’m enjoying this Tour, every day is an illusion and an enjoyment. The forces are fine but the stage win is complicated”.

?Photo: Movistar Team