"A bit of a shame, but it's the truth" - Alejandro Valverde confirms absence from World Championships on retirement year

The World Championships being in Australia and amidst a big promotion/relegation fight have seen many big riders miss out on the competition, and Alejandro Valverde is one of them. The Spaniard has talked about the situation.

In an interview with AS, Valverde said: "This is really the year I'm going to stop. Continue for another year? I haven't thought about that and I won't. Now is a good time to stop". For several years he had hinted at retirement, but despite his good results this season, it is with certainty his last in the peloton. He's currently completing his final Vuelta a Espana, but will not ride the World Championships - a race that has marked his career, having won it in Innsbruck in 2018.

Although Movistar Team are likely to be safe from relegation assuming Enric Mas will conclude the Vuelta a Espana in the podium, the team has been focusing on their goal of maintaining. Valverde will be part of that plan, with several Movistar riders prevented from riding the World Championships in order to favour the team's chances.

“A bit of a shame, but it's the truth. The World Championships is a race that has always been very important to me. I won once and a total of seven medals. But I'm sure the federation will find good riders who will do well at the World Cup". Alex Aranburu, Alejandro Valverde and Pello Bilbao, three of the riders who could lead the team, will not be present, as the national team coach reported great difficulties. “But Movistar will always be a WorldTeam, whether the team falls into that category or not. God willing, the team will stay in the WorldTour," he continued.

“If I'm realistic, I'm not missing anything. There are always bigger challenges, but I have achieved much more than I expected when I started. And I really enjoyed it," the veteran said of his career.

“The World Championship I won in 2018 was very special. Cycling has been more than worth the effort and sacrifice. We enjoyed, with family, children, friends. I don't know yet what I will do at Movistar next year. We still have to sit down with the team and look at that. Anyone who can strengthen the team is welcome," he concluded.