Teams & Riders He's coming home!!!! Alejandro Valverde comeback thread.

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

Will he really not do Strade?

No idea. He was supposed to go to it, but he said on Twitter his next objective is Catalonia.

PCS still has Strade and Sanremo in his calendar.

That doesn't mean anything. That's not the official starting line ups. Movistar won't release that for Stade until later this week and for MSR until much closer to that race.

Is he riding Itzulia ?

That race was never on his calendar.

 

[Nirvana]

Re: Re:

In the interview released for the TV coverage before going on the final podium on saturday they asked to him what will be his next race and he answered Catalunya.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

In the interview released for the TV coverage before going on the final podium on saturday they asked to him what will be his next race and he answered Catalunya.

Oh, thats too bad, but its understandable considering his cobble, ardennes and Giro-campaigns I guess. Koronin also mentioned he was a bit sick, so that could explain something.

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

In the interview released for the TV coverage before going on the final podium on saturday they asked to him what will be his next race and he answered Catalunya.

Oh, thats too bad, but its understandable considering his cobble, ardennes and Giro-campaigns I guess. Koronin also mentioned he was a bit sick, so that could explain something.

He was a bit sick. Also he mentioned that his Uncle had just died. I wouldn't be surprised if that might be part of it as well. Just needing some time off to be with family after that.

 

[Serpentin]

I don`t understand skipping Strade and going to flanders instead. Flanders will be very difficult to get a serious result.

 

[Breh]

he's sick according to his team

 

[Blanco]

Re:

I don`t understand skipping Strade and going to flanders instead. Flanders will be very difficult to get a serious result.

He never rode Flanders in his entire career, and he's 39 years old. He wants to try it at least once...

 

[Nirvana]

Re:

He doesn't go only to try, he has a big desire to do well in Flanders, in an interview for Marca he recently said that he still has two target in his career, Ronde and Olympics, even if he mantains that for Ronde could be too late to win.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re: Re:

He doesn't go only to try, he has a big desire to do well in Flanders, in an interview for Marca he recently said that he still has two target in his career, Ronde and Olympics, even if he mantains that for Ronde could be too late to win.

You mean a guy like him doesn't target Il Lombardia?

 

[Nirvana]

Re: Re:

He doesn't go only to try, he has a big desire to do well in Flanders, in an interview for Marca he recently said that he still has two target in his career, Ronde and Olympics, even if he mantains that for Ronde could be too late to win.

You mean a guy like him doesn't target Il Lombardia?

I've only reported what he said, you have to ask to him.
Read here https://www.marca.com/ciclismo/2019/03/03/5c7b15b8e5fdeab6208b45f5.html

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

He doesn't go only to try, he has a big desire to do well in Flanders, in an interview for Marca he recently said that he still has two target in his career, Ronde and Olympics, even if he mantains that for Ronde could be too late to win.

You mean a guy like him doesn't target Il Lombardia?

Tbh, Flanders/Oylmpics >> Lombardia. The two races would be a much greater feature at this point.

 

[Koronin]

He's also said recently that it's time he proves himself on the cobbles.

I still think there's more to it than just being sick (esp since he's been out doing his normal training rides since he's been home).

 

[Koronin]

He's not racing, but he's also not that sick at this point as he's doing an appearance (sounds like an autograph/photo session/meet and greet with fans) at a local sunglass store in Murcia on Saturday. The announcement is on their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/congafasdesol/posts/1620526718090758

Here's the poster:

 

[Blanco]

Re:

He's not racing, but he's also not that sick at this point as he's doing an appearance (sounds like an autograph/photo session/meet and greet with fans) at a local sunglass store in Murcia on Saturday. The announcement is on their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/congafasdesol/posts/1620526718090758

Here's the poster:

He had a fever during UAE Tour.
Strade Bianche is a very hard race.
He's done that race many times.
He never rode Flanders.
He wants to do it now.
He wants to be in top shape there, and after in the Ardennes.
He's doing Giro after that, so later he peaks, better for him.

So to conclude: he WAS sick, he maybe isn't right now, but doesn't want to risk anything cause he has bigger goals later in the season!

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

He's not racing, but he's also not that sick at this point as he's doing an appearance (sounds like an autograph/photo session/meet and greet with fans) at a local sunglass store in Murcia on Saturday. The announcement is on their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/congafasdesol/posts/1620526718090758

Here's the poster:

He had a fever during UAE Tour.
Strade Bianche is a very hard race.
He's done that race many times.
He never rode Flanders.
He wants to do it now.
He wants to be in top shape there, and after in the Ardennes.
He's doing Giro after that, so later he peaks, better for him.

So to conclude: he WAS sick, he maybe isn't right now, but doesn't want to risk anything cause he has bigger goals later in the season!

I didn't say he wasn't sick. I fully believe him that he was sick at UAE. However, I also believe that his sickness from UAE is not the reason he is skipping Strade Bianche just the excuse that was easiest to give.

One more interesting item. His amateur teams between the Elite, U-23, Junior, and Cadets have 7 races over the course of 2 days. He's taking one of the teams to their race on Sunday. His staff for this team are volunteers. The only two people that get a small amount of pay are the two who are listed as directors for his elite and U-23 teams.

 

[Tim Booth]

Riding Volta Catalunya, maybe Milan-San Remo, then A Través de Flandes, Flandes, Amstel Gold Race, Flecha Valona y Lieja
https://www.eurosport.es/ciclismo/alejandro-valverde-en-eurosport-estoy-muy-animado-vuelvo-en-catalunya-y-veremos-san-remo_sto7185937/story.shtml

 

[Koronin]

Riding Volta Catalunya, maybe Milan-San Remo, then A Través de Flandes, Flandes, Amstel Gold Race, Flecha Valona y Lieja
https://www.eurosport.es/ciclismo/alejandro-valverde-en-eurosport-estoy-muy-animado-vuelvo-en-catalunya-y-veremos-san-remo_sto7185937/story.shtml

Basically what has been being said all along. My gut says he's not doing Milan-San Remo unless he's wanting more race KMs before Catalonia.

 

[Blanco]

Riding Volta Catalunya, maybe Milan-San Remo, then A Través de Flandes, Flandes, Amstel Gold Race, Flecha Valona y Lieja
https://www.eurosport.es/ciclismo/alejandro-valverde-en-eurosport-estoy-muy-animado-vuelvo-en-catalunya-y-veremos-san-remo_sto7185937/story.shtml

Basically what has been being said all along. My gut says he's not doing Milan-San Remo unless he's wanting more race KMs before Catalonia.

I think he will do it.

 

[Rollthedice]

Apparently he'll ride MSR.

 

[Koronin]

Re:

Apparently he'll ride MSR.

He's said he won't make a definite decision until mid week.

 

[Tim Booth]

Valverde, Landa to race Milano-Sanremo
https://movistarteam.com/en/2019-03-18/announcement-valverde-landa-2019-milano-sanremo

 

[tobydawq]

This makes sense. A cursory look over the past one winners of this race proves that it's one for the GC specialists.

 

[Velolover2]

I'm not sure he is racing for victory. He has never been in top 10 and have expressed a dislike for the Poggio climb/descent.

But 300 km of road racing is nice as a warm-up for the Flemish and Walloon races.

 

[Valv.Piti]

He will prob half arse it, get over the Poggio in the first group without considering attacking and then sprinting for 8th-12th. Its a great warmup for Catalunya and later on Flanders. It makes sense to ride it IMO

 

[Koronin]

Re:

I'm not sure he is racing for victory. He has never been in top 10 and have expressed a dislike for the Poggio climb/descent.

But 300 km of road racing is nice as a warm-up for the Flemish and Walloon races.

He specifically has said he doesn't like MSR. I think he's racing it more for the racing Ks before Catalonia and the classics he's racing after Catalonia.