People thinks that one always returns to the places where he was happy. For this reason, Alejandro Valverde could not miss the Giro d’Italia in his farewell season, participating for the second time in one of the most beautiful races on the cycling planet. In his only appearance, the Murcian enjoyed three vibrant weeks of competition and the atmosphere of the Italian fans, finishing third in the GC and winning an important stage victory.

It seems a different Giro, since it will start this Friday from Hungary with a flat route between Budapest and Visegrad, completing up to three days in the Magyar country before enjoying its first rest day on Monday. The mountain will arrive on Tuesday in the first contact with Italy. After that summit finish on Etna, the first week will conclude on Sunday with the fearsome Blockhaus. However, almost all the hardness is concentrated as usual in the final week of the race, highlighting the finishes in Aprica, Lavarone or Marmolada before the Verona time trial.

Valverde travels to Hungary sharing stripes with the Colombian, recent winner of the Vuelta Asturias, Iván Ramiro Sosa. Completing the Movistar Team are José Joaquín Rojas, Will Barta, Jorge Arcas, Sergio Samitier, Oier Lazkano and Antonio Pedrero