Back to the races

Alejandro Valverde returns to the competition this Sunday in Saint-Étienne, the starting point of the 69th edition of Critérium du Dauphiné, one of the most prestigious World Tour races on the international calendar. This is a traditional stop on the way to the Tour de France. This year it is going to be run by cyclists as Alberto Contador (Trek), Romain Bardet (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Richie Porte (BMC), Daniel Martin (Quick Step) or Chris Froome (Team Sky), winner of the GC of this race in three occasions, including the last two.

In front of them, Alejandro Valverde, double winner of the Critérium du Dauphiné (2008 and 2009) and without competing since his triumph in the Liege-Bastogne-Liège more than 1 month ago. The Movistar Team rider has prepared his second part of 2017 with a long concentration in Sierra Nevada (Granada), along with other teammates and his masseur Juan Carlos Escámez. A hard job that has its first test this Sunday.

The race starts with three days full of small climbs on a rolling terrain and continues with a 23.5 km time trial that should make the difference in the overall. To conclude, three difficult mountain stages with finishes in Villars-les-Dombes, Alpe d’Huez and Plateau de Solaison.

Photo: Movistar Team