Statue inaugurated in honour of Alejandro Valverde as he departs on closing Vuelta a Espana stage

Alejandro Valverde has a been a professional rider since 2002 and has raced the Vuelta a Espana on 16 occasions ever since. Today will be his final day in a race that has marked his career so much, and he will be having a statue inaugurated.

Valverde himself and Vuelta a Espana director Javier Guillén will be present in the ceremony that will take place in Madrid this afternoon, where a statue made of recycled glass from race sponsor Ecovidrio.

In what was his final Vuelta before he retired, Valverde played a support role for Enric Mas who will be finishing the race in second place. Valverde himself will finish in 13th position bringing in important UCI points for the Spanish team. Over his career Valverde has won the Vuelta once back in 2009, has won 12 stages and has finished on the final podium an additional six times.