- Nov 16, 2013
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- May 14, 2011
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I think Valverde has made a good fist of his talents - a GC rider with a strong sprint. But his longevity in the sport is almost without parallel. He seems to have been around forever. In 2002 I remember being caught up in the Armstrong hype. Then I have clear memory of AV outsprinting Armstrong for that TdF stage win at Courchevel in 2005 TdF. But it was AV's victory in the 2018 worlds at Innsbruck won me over on that monster course that earned my respect.
Can anyone name one rider who raced to entertain rather than to win with their born ability? Don't suggest Contador. Cycling is an extremely physically demanding sport, nobody has the spare energy to entertain rather than win. Only riders like JA do a little showboating but this is after the win is already secured. Being courageous isn't the same as deliberately entertaining. And wins are different to gaining time. AV couldn't quite match the best GC riders, but he was close. If you had AV's sprint would you attack knowing you just had to hold the wheels to outsprint at the finish?
I see above discussion of Cancellara. Well he is just as guilty of bad tactics but had a similar problem - his rivals knew his strengths and rode to counter him. Go watch the 2009 worlds in Mendrisio if you are in any doubt.
Valverde has had a great career. Kudos to him. But there was hype both for and against. Bottom line is he was one of the most consistent all-round riders of the last 20 years and deserves respect from all cycling fans for that. He certainly has my respect.
Can anyone name one rider who raced to entertain rather than to win with their born ability? Don't suggest Contador. Cycling is an extremely physically demanding sport, nobody has the spare energy to entertain rather than win. Only riders like JA do a little showboating but this is after the win is already secured. Being courageous isn't the same as deliberately entertaining. And wins are different to gaining time. AV couldn't quite match the best GC riders, but he was close. If you had AV's sprint would you attack knowing you just had to hold the wheels to outsprint at the finish?
I see above discussion of Cancellara. Well he is just as guilty of bad tactics but had a similar problem - his rivals knew his strengths and rode to counter him. Go watch the 2009 worlds in Mendrisio if you are in any doubt.
Valverde has had a great career. Kudos to him. But there was hype both for and against. Bottom line is he was one of the most consistent all-round riders of the last 20 years and deserves respect from all cycling fans for that. He certainly has my respect.
- Oct 14, 2017
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He lays out what his plan is for the first part of the season here. Mostly in Spain plus Strade Bianche, Fleche Wallone, and LBL.
cyclingtips.com
Alejandro Valverde looks to the future as he prepares for his final season
As Valverde lays out his path to his second (and last) Giro d’Italia, he expresses confidence in Movistar’s new generation of leaders.
cyclingtips.com
- Apr 13, 2021
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Mallorca - Murcia - Andalucia - Strade - Catalunya - Itzulia - Fleche/Liege - Giro?He lays out what his plan is for the first part of the season here. Mostly in Spain plus Strade Bianche, Fleche Wallone, and LBL.
Alejandro Valverde looks to the future as he prepares for his final season
As Valverde lays out his path to his second (and last) Giro d’Italia, he expresses confidence in Movistar’s new generation of leaders.
- Nov 16, 2013
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No, only one of Catalunya and Itzulia.
And he will also do Amstel even if he says he doesn't know whether he will or not.
- Jun 6, 2017
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Classic Valverde calendar up until Liege. I really like that he's going to ride Giro instead of Tour, and would love if he could grab Maglia Rosa at least for a day.
- Nov 16, 2013
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- Apr 13, 2021
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On the podium with Vincenzo and Fausto
- Aug 28, 2021
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I hope you are right!
I hope he is the Spanish Davide Rebellin: ride 20 years as a pro cyclist, and then spend the next 25 years announcing you will retire after next season, but in fact stay pro until 55 or 60.
Fleche Wallonne 2021 for example has shown how good Valverde still is. In the Vuelta, he was with the best climbers until he crashed out. If you consider cycling has become faster over the last 20 years, I strongly suppose Valverde 2021 or 2022 is almost as strong as he was when he beat Armstrong in Courchevel 2005…
- Nov 16, 2013
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Probably, yeah. Top 5 in all Ardennes Classics + Il Lombardia the year you turn 41 is pretty crazy.
But he will retire after 2022, I don't doubt that. He has never been as definitive about it as the last month.
- Oct 14, 2017
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He's been much more definite about retiring this time than he has been before. I do it's highly likely this is his final year.
With what we're seeing for times and how fast races overall are being ridden now, he very likely is. It's crazy to think about it when you realize he's 41 and he's been a pro since he was 21 (turned 22 his first year as a pro).
I hope you are right!
I hope he is the Spanish Davide Rebellin: ride 20 years as a pro cyclist, and then spend the next 25 years announcing you will retire after next season, but in fact stay pro until 55 or 60.
Fleche Wallonne 2021 for example has shown how good Valverde still is. In the Vuelta, he was with the best climbers until he crashed out. If you consider cycling has become faster over the last 20 years, I strongly suppose Valverde 2021 or 2022 is almost as strong as he was when he beat Armstrong in Courchevel 2005…
With what we're seeing for times and how fast races overall are being ridden now, he very likely is. It's crazy to think about it when you realize he's 41 and he's been a pro since he was 21 (turned 22 his first year as a pro).
- May 13, 2009
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A day or more in pink would be lovely. Do you guys think he'd style it like Vino, or sport much more subdued kit? (Vino example follows...)
- Oct 14, 2017
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He choose a classic kit for his year in the rainbow jersey. So I'd suspect he'd want a more subdued classic kit. Also likely Movistar would prefer something more subdued.
- May 13, 2009
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I hope he goes for a restrained, classic kit. Although I absolutely loved the bike, I wasn't the hugest fan of AV's 2009 Vuelta leader's strip:
- Nov 16, 2013
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He takes it pretty lightly when he is led to believe that somebody had taken his car because they allegedly thought he had donated it
View: https://twitter.com/Movistar_Team/status/1476105708127109133
View: https://twitter.com/Movistar_Team/status/1476105708127109133
- May 14, 2011
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Great pic! Not just AV on his way to his only Grand Tour win but also the unique terrain of the Vuelta compared to the TdF and Giro.I hope he goes for a restrained, classic kit. Although I absolutely loved the bike, I wasn't the hugest fan of AV's 2009 Vuelta leader's strip:
- May 13, 2009
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!For a reason that now escapes me, I had access to all of the official photos that the race organization released daily for media use during that year's Vuelta. Quite a few of Don Alejandro, iirc. Some of them are in an album on my FB (hah, remember FB!? lol):
www.facebook.com
- May 13, 2009
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Here's another shot in which Valvede rides alongside Evans, climbing hard with him, while they lead a small group:
Click on image to see full size.
Click on image to see full size.
I hope he goes for a restrained, classic kit. Although I absolutely loved the bike, I wasn't the hugest fan of AV's 2009 Vuelta leader's strip:
Here's another shot in which Valvede rides alongside Evans, climbing hard with him, while they lead a small group:
Click on image to see full size.
This is from the 8th stage, right?
Not a bad group.
Basso behind and A. Schleck further down. He didnt finish this stage, I see.
Tom Danielson for Garmin. He was 4th in the GC at the time.
I believe in the white and lightblue helmet between Valverde and Tom Danielson is Ezequiel Mosquera for Xacobeo-Galicia.
The red/white helmet in the back of the picture, I dont know. Maybe Moncutié who finished 2nd on the day? Dont remember the stage, if he was in the break or something instead.
Behind Basso should be Gesink for Rabobank, who finished 3rd on the stage. Cunego won, before Moncoutié.
- Sep 26, 2020
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Back when Gesink still seemed to be on a path to world domination!
It's isn't from stage 8, cause Evans wasn't in the lead until after the finish. So it must be from Xorret de Catí the following day, which also explains the amount of riders being out of the saddle.
It's also Fränk and not Andy Schleck, who must have been wearing the LUX jersey during the race, before he exited with stomach cramps.
The fact that he's not even in the picture perfectly displays the less visible Samu from that Vuelta (in contrast to his 2007 race).
Last edited:
- Aug 3, 2015
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Should be the legendary climb, Xorret de Catí, if im not mistaken! A murito before muritos became popular. Always a great climb in La Vuelta, and if you ask me growing up cycling-wise in the 00's, definitely what I think of when you say short, steep climbs.Here's another shot in which Valvede rides alongside Evans, climbing hard with him, while they lead a small group:
Click on image to see full size.
Samu had crashed the day before in the descent of Tudons and dropped early in Xorret de Catí.
- Jun 6, 2017
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Great start of the season for Bala: 6th, 2nd and 1st in three days, at age 41! It could've been two wins easily, but Wellens closed him yesterday. I have a feeling he's better than last year, and he was 3rd at Fleche, 4th at Liege and 5th at Lombardia. Watch out Pog, Rog, Ala and the others
He is still winning races!
Another big win in Flech or LBL would be amazing... could one dream that he finally wins Lombardia?! Maybe his final race will be on home soil in the Vuelta though.
Another big win in Flech or LBL would be amazing... could one dream that he finally wins Lombardia?! Maybe his final race will be on home soil in the Vuelta though.
- Apr 13, 2021
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I think he's retiring after the Vuelta, but I would love to see him fight for the win at Il Lombardia one more time.
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