Alejandro Valverde has been clear that he isn't particularly focused in going for the overall classification. However, he plans on being a feature in tomorrow's ascent to Mount Etna, which will see the climbers take on the main stage.
Talking to Spanish newspaper Marca, Valverde has admitted that a stage win is his priority in the race. "To really sign off in the best way, a win is the only thing that counts. I am back to try to win a stage. It’s the ‘photo’ that I am missing and I’d really like to make it happen. It would be nice if it happens, but I also know it’s complicated," he said.
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Despite not his first, stage four will be a good opportunity for the veteran to give it a shot, and above all test his legs against the competition in Italy: “It’s a stage I really like and it’s my first chance to race on it. There will be more chances later, and to be honest, I haven’t looked too closely at the route in the same way as if I was racing for the GC."
“I am really motivated for Etna. I am happy with how I felt in the first stage, and to be honest, I really didn’t have that one in my mind. I didn’t feel so bad in the time trial, and I have good sensations going into Mount Etna," he added.
With 23 kilometers in distance, it's far from an ideal climb for the Spaniard. Nevertheless, he has on the past delivered on similar ascents, and he will be hoping for a good day on the road. “I’m feeling good, or at least I am not bad. I was second in Flèche and seventh in Liège, fighting right until the end. But at the Giro, you have to take it day-by-day," Valverde mentioned.
If he fails to perform, the responsibility should solely lie on Iván Sosa who will be seeing at what level he is regarding his rivals in the battle for the overall classification. Valverde may have a crucial support role in the future of the race, however tomorrow both will have their own ambitions. “We are here to help [Iván] Sosa, who can do some interesting things, including ride into the top five. He will improve and take the next step up in these types of races to help the races," he concluded.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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#Giro + 🇭🇺 = 🔚🏁👍😀 Cavendish (QST) se impone a Démare (GFC) y Gaviria (UAD) en el sprint de Balatonfüred, 3ª etapa @giroditalia. @alejanvalverde y Movistar Team sortean sin percances la 'volata' -@jjrojillas, 21º-. 🔜✈️🌋 Mañana lunes, ¡a Sicilia! 📸 @SprintCycling
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