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"I'm one of the favourites, if all goes well" - Alejandro Valverde confident into final pro race at Il Lombardia
CyclingWednesday, 05 October 2022 at 13:00
Alejandro Valverde is ending a long-standing career in the peloton this Saturday at Il Lombardia, and has shown good form throughout this week in the Italian Autumn classics, with a second place yesterday at Tre Valli Varesine almost giving him a possible final win as a pro.
Talking to Esciclismo after the finish, Valverde said: “I want to thank the team for the great work they have done. We checked the course from the start with UAE Emirates. We had everything under control." The hilly race was suited to opportunist attacks, which his teammate Enric Mas has attempted in the final kilometers in order to chase a second win following the Giro dell'Emilia.
“In the final I told Enric Mas that he also had to take his own chances, but it ended up being a sprint. I could count on support from Enric and Einer Rubio in the final phase," he continued. However, a small group between the climbers eventually formed towards the end, with a sprint on sight to decide the winner.
Valverde was quick to react when Tadej Pogacar launched his sprint, however did not have enough speed to go through the Slovenian, eventually crossing the line in a tight third spot behind Sergio Higuita aswell. "I have to congratulate Pogačar, he was simply the fastest," he commented.
The build-up has been strong towards Il Lombardia, the final race of his career. Valverde will head into the weekend with high ambitions: “I'm one of the favourites, if all goes well. However, it all depends on the course of the race and the form of the day.”
“I am currently good enough to fight for the win. In addition, I think it is a beautiful course, I like it better than in previous years," he concluded.
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