Alejandro Valverde eyeing Vuelta a España after finishing Giro "with a good feeling"
CyclingWednesday, 01 June 2022 at 16:00
Alejandro Valverde is so far this season being Movistar Team's most important rider, however with his retirement in sight, 'Bala' is also enjoying his last months in the professional peloton. His bold ride at the Giro d'Italia saw him often among the best, and he'll look to replicate that in the second half of the season.
"I'm glad I was able to finish my last Giro, just behind the top 10. We fought to the end for a win and I'm leaving here with a good feeling," Valverde shared on social media. The 42-year old didn't initially come to the Giro d'Italia with ambitions for the overall classification, but after Iván Sosa failed to perform in the mountains and the Spaniard rode a strong opening week, it became a goal to finish on the Top10 - besides fighting for a stage win.
His high position in the GC didn't prevent him from joining the break on stage 16 to Aprica, where he rode impressively in the high mountains to finish fifth, but besides that day he couldn't further contest stage wins. He was in the fight for the Top10 but finished just outside in 11th place, having struggled in the stage to Lavarone. He has nevertheless brought some important points to maintain Movistar Team's safety in the World Tour.
“Now it's time to rest, recover, enjoy and think about the Vuelta. Thanks to all the audiences in Italy and Hungary, and to those of you who follow me from home, for your support at all times," he concluded. Valverde is likely to return to competition at the national championships, before preparing for a final Grand Tour at home in the Vuelta a España.
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- it is too simple to base improvement on points alone. Quick-Step lost a lot of points but might gain more wins and are shifting their focus. Juan Ayuso might be addition by subtraction. and Ineos picked up a lot of points. Onley gets a boatload for being 4th in the Tour. but who’s racing for 4th place?!?!?mij11-01-2026
- All very sad. But you seem to be backing the journalists in generally demonising Tadej and canonising Jonas. This article is interesting though, and suggests Jonas is making very good financial decisions, acquiring luxury homes that he and his family are enjoying living in, and staying near family (also now in luxury homes) who can help with the kids. Sounds like a great lifestyle, and not a basis for critising Pog's decisions.Hills3311-01-2026
- Anyone who thinks the Giro is a training camp for the Tour, for Vingegaard, is not right in the head. First of all, he is not Pogacar and secondly, UAE will send almost A team to make Jonas life miserable and make the race difficult. If the danish fisherman competes in Giro, his chances drop from 20 to 2 percent. I also read some foolish statements that the 2026 Tour is against Pogi and I'm dying of laughter. 2026 is the most ideal Tour that Pogi will ever ride. Not a single stage is difficult except 20st. Everything else is made for UAE to control. Every mountain stage has 30-40km of easy terrain before the last climb.NikkoNicco11-01-2026
- it doesn’t matter what Jonas is doing with the houses, the article is trash. and the fact that he is buying houses in Denmark with no criticism makes everyone’s point all the stronger. it is Tadej’s life. he isn’t breaking the law. he can live where he wishes how he wishes. and his “side” isn’t quoted, which especially irks me. it makes it sound as if he is living in Monaco just to cheat taxes. maybe he is there because it is an ideal training base year round. or any other number or reasons. and, it happens to be a good financial decision.mij11-01-2026
- Unbelievably I remember people saying 2024 Pogi was avoiding Jonas by riding the Giro. Seriously why wouldn’t Jonas ride the Giro? Only GT he hasn’t won. It’s a pretty obvious and logical move.mobk11-01-2026
- it must suck to have to admit that the time to win is only going to be a result of someone else’s retirement, not improved skill or speed.mij11-01-2026
- National champs are supposed to be individual events, rider v rider not raced as teams.wipperman9511-01-2026
- National champs are supposed to be individual events, rider v rider not raced as teams.wipperman9511-01-2026
- I assume Plapp will be about as popular as a fart in a gas mask this season on the team bus. What an absolute clown shoe. Attacking his own team-mate with a lap and a half to go, bringing back his rivals with you, then fluffing it yourself to let the other guy win. You’d assume that if they had race radios, the DS would be telling Plapp to stop p*sing on Durbo’s chips, but at the same time you’d also expect a World Tour rider to understand this kind of basic racecraft. Felt like watching Dwars with Nielsen Powless and Visma. Hats off to the winner though, and him sledging his former team for giving him the boot, haha. Unreal scenes.antipodeanpedalfan11-01-2026
- You can write the same article replacing JV with a whole bunch of names. Every race needs competitors and wants the best they can get. Jonas has a Vuelta, 2 Tours and no Giro, you said it yourself so - Go figure. Has he ruled out the Tour? Am convinced if Tadej decides to do the Giro, Jonas won’t cancel, it’s nothing to do with dodging, it’s about deciding for himself and not living for others. Jonas has offered plenty of competition to Tadej, it’s not his only purpose or obligation. Had there not been a Tadej, he’d be considered one of the too 3 GT riders ever, he’s just a bit unlucky not to clearly be ahead of Froome and no other recent rider comes close, though Rogliç might have given him a good run if not in the same team.Mistermaumau11-01-2026
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