Juan Ayuso aims for succes at "both the World Championship and the European Championship" - Alejandro Valverde

Alejandro Valverde was present at an event of the Spanish cycling federation yesterday and, as the national team coach, was asked about the upcoming World Championships in Kigali and what role Juan Ayuso may have in it.

The Spaniard, in words to Marca, made it clear that the moment of truth arrives just with the National Championships and that he is in 'on mode' already thinking about lineups and strategies for the World and European Championships, the two competitions in which he will debut his brand new position. At the nationals he will be keeping a close eye on everyone and it could influence his decision.

"Very good, I'm very happy. Really when we start now to do, well, I'm already following everything, but here at the Spanish Championships is when we really start to do my role. The World Championship is in September and the European Championship in October. I'm happy, very excited and looking forward to it. All the riders with whom I have spoken, and those I have more or less fixed, are very happy and very motivated to go to the World Championship. And that's the important thing, above all you have to be motivated," confessed the Movistar Team ambassador.

Having a functioning team for the Worlds does not necessarily include exclusively choosing the strongest riders, but those who will work together the best. "It's clear that if you get a medal, wherever it is, you go away very happy. But above all I want to make a great team, form a great group that works as well as possible. If we work well and unite, unity is strength, as I always say. If we do well, I will be happy. The rivals are very strong, but we have very good riders. If they give their all, I'll be happy.

"The pressure is always there, but we will try to make the best possible group. We have very good riders. This year the World Championship is very hard, the European as well. It's all very close together, so maybe we have to make almost two teams, although some will repeat from the Tour to the World Championships. But I'm happy with the riders we have".

On Juan Ayuso, who should be the leader (or one of them) for Kigali with quite a lot of certainty, the veteran commented: "It's clear that he won't ride the Tour, the Vuelta remains to be seen, but I've been talking to him and it's on his mind, both the World Championship and the European Championship. In fact, he has already won the European Championship this year (Valverde refers to the course in France, Ayuso won the Faun Drôme Classic, ed.) at the beginning of the season, on the same course. He is very eager, very motivated. He won't be competing much, but he trains hard and we know how he can do very well".

He confirmed that the other two big Spanish climbers of the moment, Carlos Rodríguez and Enric Mas, will also be in Kigali: "We will also see them, of course, more than in the Tour, especially in the Vuelta a España, which is also on their calendar. Both Carlos and Enric are riders who are also fixed for me. I've already told you three fixed names".