In his final season in the pro peloton, Alejandro Valverde will be returning to the Giro d'Italia to contest for stages and possibly the overall classification for Movistar Team. A team which is more focused in the Tour de France, but will nevertheless be seeking results in Italy - in order to assure their maintenance at World Tour level aswell.
Valverde, despite his 42 years of age, has not stopped his winning ways this season as he's won Trofeo Pollença, aswell as a stage and overall classification at the new Gran Camiño race. Despite having fell ill during the spring, he still has to show a second place at Strade Bianche and Flèche Wallone, aswell as a seventh place at Liège-Bastogne-Liège which proves the veteran is still very much capable of winning at the highest level.
Iván Sosa will come as a wildcard for the Giro. He is not known for his abilities in the Grand Tours, however the mountain-filled route suits the Colombian well if he manages to be consistent throughout the three weeks. He is just off the back of winning the overall classification at the Vuelta a Asturias, and can also be a contender for stage wins in the mountains.
The duo will have the support of Antonio Pedrero and Sergio Samitier in the mountains, whilst a lot of emphasis has been given to the support on the flat terrain aswell as experience as José Joaquín Rojas and Jorge Arcas are both present as road captain. Will Barta will also play an important role in this sector, whilst Oier Lazkano completes the squad making his Grand Tour debut in the team.
Movistar Team for Giro d'Italia: Alejandro Valverde, Iván Sosa, José Joaquín Rojas, Jorge Arcas, Sergio Samitier, Antonio Pedrero, Oier Lazkano and Will Barta.
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