On the hunt for a medal

It is time for one of the major objectives of Alejandro Valverde in this 2016: the route race of the Olympic Games in Rio. An appointment that the Spanish rider has prepared carefully in recent months. He will attempt to win an Olympic medal, one of the few sporting challenges which he has not yet achieved during his brilliant career.

The event will be held this Saturday from 14:30 (spanish time) and will end around 21 hours. The runners will face an atypical race, very hard, with several ascents. After several modifications, the final will be located in Copacabana, a few kilometers after the last of the three climbs to Vista Chinesa.

Valverde will lead a powerful spanish team, where Joaquim Rodriguez will start as second leader. Movistar riders Imanol Erviti, Jonathan Castroviejo and Ion Izaguirre escort Valverde in their Olympic challenge. It will be the fourth Olympic test for Alejandro, after his contest in Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012.