"A total elimination competition" - Valverde predicts Ayuso's world championships opportunities

On the day of the men’s World Championship road race in Kigali, Alejandro Valverde left no doubt about the scale of the challenge awaiting his Spanish squad. The 2018 world champion and current national coach underlined the severity of the African course, pointing to the relentless gradients that will sap every contender’s strength.

"We know it's a very tough World Cup, I've been impressed because it's tremendously demanding and we've seen the 6-kilometer pass at 7%, we were surprised by how complicated it is, but the last kilometer has an average of 15%. It's really demanding and that's where a big part of the race will be decided," Valverde explained.

The veteran Murcian predicted a war of attrition more than a tactical chess match. "It will be a total elimination competition. It's clear that you have to interpret the test well, that you must have teammates ahead of you from the start if difficult selections are formed and it will be by complete elimination, as hard World Cups usually are. In the end, there are seven hours of effort. A World Cup to resist and save energy, but without losing concentration and being present," he told RFEC.

Valverde insisted the mood in the Spanish camp is high, boosted by recent success across the championships. "They love it. We are going with all the options, they feel very good, motivated and with great enthusiasm. We will try to enjoy ourselves as much as possible," he said.

Spain line up in Kigali with a mix of youth and experience: Juan Ayuso, Marc Soler, Iván Romeo, Carlos Canal, Carlos Verona, Roger Adrià, Raúl García Pierna and Abel Balderstone. Ayuso stands out as the natural leader, his climbing ability and resilience tailor-made for the attritional circuit.

But Valverde hinted at tactical flexibility. Soler and Romeo, both aggressive riders with the legs to gamble from distance, could be deployed as early attackers to disrupt the favourites’ control. The strategy hinges on pairing Ayuso’s steadiness with the freedom for others to launch moves that might fracture the race before the decisive laps.

Recent results in Rwanda have only strengthened Spain’s morale. Paula Ostiz claimed junior women’s gold, while Mavi García added bronze in the elite women’s event, successes that have rippled through the squad. For Valverde, those medals provide extra motivation as Spain approach the men’s showcase. Confidence is high, but in Kigali’s unforgiving terrain, resilience and tactical nerve will be the ultimate currency.