Third Vuelta a Valencia
Eleven years after his last victory in the general classification of the Vuelta a Valencia, Alejandro Valverde has sealed his third victory in this race, which was held again in 2016 after several seasons canceled. Two riders of the Astana team have joined Valverde on the final podium of this race: his countryman and friend Luis León Sánchez and the Danish Jakob Fulgsang, silver medal in the last Olympic Games in Rio and winner of the last Criterium du Dauphiné.
Valverde has completed five perfect days in Valencia, with two stage victories at Albuixech and Alto de las Canteras (Cocentaina), where he confirmed his final victory in the GC. These are a very special victories, since they are the first after his long recovery period. Alejandro’s teammates in Movistar Team have contributed significantly to the first success of the squad this season.
Statements: “This victory is a reward to the great, hard work we did during the last few months with my recovery. That’s why I’m so happy, because I know where I come from and everything I had to go through in order to bounce back from such a serious crash and injuries I sustained. It’s already 14 years since my first overall win here, and as well as being quite older, the rest I think remains the same, honestly – I’m as excited and willing to get going on my bike as I was when I took up racing. My next races? Next weekend, at my home race in the Vuelta a Murcia and the Clásica de Almería, followed by the Abu Dhabi Tour later this month.”
Photo and statements: Movistar Team