What do you mean by "confirm"? As far as I know there are no such rumours. He will retire tomorrow.
- Nov 16, 2013
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- Jun 24, 2013
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Tomorrow on the podium after the race.
- Aug 13, 2011
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Hopefully it doesn’t end like it did for Jordan
Tomorrow on the podium after the race.
Any volunteer willing to show up at Como with a banner saying "Un año mas"?
- Oct 13, 2021
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Still winning sprints for minor positions, 6th on the day to close your career is better than most can say.
- Jun 8, 2010
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What a rider, winning sprints at 500 years old, while greeting the public!
- Nov 16, 2013
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At least better than Nibali
Cookster15
Moderator
- May 14, 2011
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A good time for AV to retire. When he was younger he would have been in contention to win
But he’s had an incredible career. Who can remember what they were doing in 2002? Many highlights with so many victories but for sure I think his 2018 world’s victory is his best win. Yes better than winning the 2009 Vuelta.
But he’s had an incredible career. Who can remember what they were doing in 2002? Many highlights with so many victories but for sure I think his 2018 world’s victory is his best win. Yes better than winning the 2009 Vuelta.
- Aug 3, 2015
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Agostini - 2nd
Emilia - 4th
Varese - 3rd
Lombardia 6th
Not bad. Not bad at all. Will be missed
Emilia - 4th
Varese - 3rd
Lombardia 6th
Not bad. Not bad at all. Will be missed
- Mar 13, 2015
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Congratualtions on a great career Bala
Think it will be very hard for him to give it up as he has given so much to racing and enjoys it and even enjoys training so much
Think it will be very hard for him to give it up as he has given so much to racing and enjoys it and even enjoys training so much
- Nov 16, 2013
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That was his 50th (official) top 10 in a major race (20 in Grand Tours, 19 in monuments, 11 in WCRR), spanning 20 seasons. Unparallelled longevity.
Can you imagine how dominant he'd be in masters racing?
- Mar 20, 2022
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Great career for this man. It would be a lot better if he wasn't so focused in winning mountain sprints. And thanks god he was world champion, he deserved that jersey.
Please UCI, bring back the world cup!!!
Please UCI, bring back the world cup!!!
- Jun 30, 2022
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As the thread title says: He‘s coming home!
Well deserved for him to finally retire, but I would certainly also be happy if the other part of the thread title came true again. Not to be, though, I think he‘s too old for that. As a big fan of statistics, I liked Valverde for the sheer numbers of his career. I have a soft spot for old riders and champions on the decline though because every race could be their last great success.
Well, there will be a big gap in his palmarès with Lombardia but I can‘t say he hasn‘t still had a career that could certainly rival Nibali‘s.
Well deserved for him to finally retire, but I would certainly also be happy if the other part of the thread title came true again. Not to be, though, I think he‘s too old for that. As a big fan of statistics, I liked Valverde for the sheer numbers of his career. I have a soft spot for old riders and champions on the decline though because every race could be their last great success.
Well, there will be a big gap in his palmarès with Lombardia but I can‘t say he hasn‘t still had a career that could certainly rival Nibali‘s.
- Dec 6, 2012
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Big career, well extraordinarily big indeed. Surely one of the greatest racers in my time of watching. Maybe he could have won much more, and more big things too, but in the end that's still a first class long list of achievement that not many will come close, his place is secured.
Been a fan since 2005 when he beat Armstrong on the first mountain stage of the Tour, in a sprint, which was unheard of. I was 13 at the time, I already regarded myself as a veteran cycling fan, but I hadn't seen a rider like him yet. Never thought I would still have the pleasure of watching him ride at 30. Gonna miss him.
- Nov 16, 2013
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Been a fan since 2005 when he beat Armstrong on the first mountain stage of the Tour, in a sprint, which was unheard of. I was 13 at the time, I already regarded myself as a veteran cycling fan, but I hadn't seen a rider like him yet. Never thought I would still have the pleasure of watching him ride at 30. Gonna miss him.
Wauw, that completely aligns with my experience with him, even the age numbers are exactly the same!
- May 13, 2009
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Wow, what a professional...truly professional until the very end. Perfect time to retire. Going out with his powers barely diminished, compared to others who stuck around far too long. Time waits for no man, and Valverde is getting out while the getting is good. Such pleasure to have been a fan of his.
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- May 5, 2010
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- Nov 16, 2013
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- Jun 30, 2022
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From the time where you didn‘t have to wear helmets (on MTFs) and many cyclists in the peloton looked like 40 year olds with receding hairlines. Now, Valverde also looks like a 40-year old but is already at 42
- May 5, 2010
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Why the *** is this being flagged as "potentially sensitive content"?
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