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

[Koronin]

Amazing start to the season. 6th, 2nd and a win to start of the season and next is Valencia. He looks in better form to start this season than he did last season. Maybe another Ardennes double? We can dream.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Amazing start to the season. 6th, 2nd and a win to start of the season and next is Valencia. He looks in better form to start this season than he did last season. Maybe another Ardennes double? We can dream.

 

[SHAD0W93]

The ol’ man still putting the young whipper snappers to shame.

 

[lenric]

I can only say: kudos to Valverde, amazing.

 

[Kaptain Kool]

He's also talking now about potentially finishing in Lombardia. Marca interview.

 

[Nirvana]

It's obvious that if in the fall he's still feeling good he'll ride Worlds (if selected) and Lombardia, he never said otherwise.

 

[lenric]

if he wins the vuelta he'll race another season #makethathappen

 

[joe_papp]

Is Valverde gonna ride Flanders this year, guys?

 

[Lequack]

He should retire like Contador, by winning the Angliru stage at the Vuelta.

 

[Sciatic]

He should retire like Contador, by winning the Angliru stage at the Vuelta.

That would be very cool, though I would rather see him ride off in a blaze of glory by winning Lombardia!

 

[joe_papp]

That would be very cool, though I would rather see him ride off in a blaze of glory by winning Lombardia!

That would be epic. Like Vino winning the Olympic rr (even tho he peaced-out at San Sebastian)!

 

[tobydawq]

Is Valverde gonna ride Flanders this year, guys?

I don't think so. I know it says so on PCS but I haven't heard any other indications of it.

 

[joe_papp]

I don't think so. I know it says so on PCS but I haven't heard any other indications of it.

I ask because I was reviewing the newest lines from my [legal] sportsbook tonight, and they were offering +15000 (American) on Valverde to win Flanders, which would be a $150 win on a $1 bet. So I put a dollar on him, but only then thought that he might not even ride lol. (in which case they would just refund the bet so nbd)

 

[Blanco]

Is Valverde gonna ride Flanders this year, guys?

No.
After Valencia he'll ride Murcia, then some sort of Spanish Strade Bianche, then Andalusia and then the real Strade Bianche. That's the first bloc.
In the second bloc, he will ride either Catalunya or Itzulia, and then the Ardennes. although he was not sure about Amstel, cause it is moved a bit earlier because of Roubaix.
After Ardennes he will ride the most beautiful race in the world - Il Giro!

 

[Fantastico]

No.
After Valencia he'll ride Murcia, then some sort of Spanish Strade Bianche, then Andalusia and then the real Strade Bianche. That's the first bloc.
In the second bloc, he will ride either Catalunya or Itzulia, and then the Ardennes. although he was not sure about Amstel, cause it is moved a bit earlier because of Roubaix.
After Ardennes he will ride the most beautiful race in the world - Il Giro!

Here, in this article on Velonews they state as well that he is riding Flanders. Not sure what their source is: https://www.velonews.com/news/road/final-adios-remains-uncertain-for-alejandro-valverde-in-farewell-season/

Btw: It was announced yesterday in some newspapers that he will indeed ride Catalunya and lead the team there: https://www.ccma.cat/esport3/alejandro-valverde-liderara-el-movistar-team-a-la-volta-a-catalunya/noticia/3143575/

 

[Koronin]

He's known to make last minute changes to his schedule. I know he's listed as racing Flanders currently, but I'd be a bit surprised if he actually races.

 

[Lequack]

Had a rear wheel puncture today, still finished very close to Vlasov.

 

[Fantastico]

Had a rear wheel puncture today, still finished very close to Vlasov.

Yeah, they said that on the Movistar website as well. Nice to have some footage of it. Amazing how he still managed to gain back ground on some of the contenders after the gravel section.

 

[Nirvana]

No.
After Valencia he'll ride Murcia, then some sort of Spanish Strade Bianche, then Andalusia and then the real Strade Bianche. That's the first bloc.
In the second bloc, he will ride either Catalunya or Itzulia, and then the Ardennes. although he was not sure about Amstel, cause it is moved a bit earlier because of Roubaix.
After Ardennes he will ride the most beautiful race in the world - Il Giro!

In a couple of interviews about his program he said no Amstel. Maybe in April he'll do some altitude for the Giro like in 2016, but for the moment the program looks a bit different, in 2016 was Strade, Tirreno, Sanremo, recons of Giro stages in the Alps, altitude, Castilla y Leon, Flèche and Liege whereas this year with the confirmation of Catalunya could fit some recons after Strade and altitude after Catalunya going straight to Flèche and Liege after it.

 

[joe_papp]

The most beautiful bike in the world, imo. And those wheels!

 

[Blanco]

The most beautiful bike in the world, imo. And those wheels!

Prince?

 

[lenric]

The most beautiful bike in the world, imo. And those wheels!

kinda like the color of the suit also

 

[joe_papp]

Prince?

Pinarello Dogma 60.1

and with that lovely mechanical Record groupset. just gorgeous!

Here's a better shot of the main triangle:

 

[Blanco]

Bala is doing Gran Camino (sort of Galicia Tour) instead of Andalucia. Weaker field but better route.

 

[Blanco]

132 and counting...