"We have a present and a future" - Alejandro Valverde has good reasons to be happy with Spanish compatriot's future
Cycling
Alejandro Valverde was presented yesterday in Madrid as the brand new Spanish national coach. The Spaniard, one of the best cyclists in the history of the world championships with up to 8 medals including a rainbow jersey, has landed very motivated and eager to do well, and he has a talented generation of riders coming up who give him good signs.
Speaking to Eurosport after his appointment, he was asked about the cyclist who most resembles him and did not hesitate: "I think Juan Ayuso may be more like me." With Ayuso fresh off a considerable and dominant victory at Tirreno-Adriatico, putting in display both his talents in the time-trials and on the mountains in what is the best form of his career.
On the other hand, he was asked to highlight the most talented young riders on the national scene and he made it clear that there is a lot of talent in Spanish cycling right now with riders like Iván Romeo, Javier Romo, Adrià Pericas, Pablo Torres or Héctor Álvarez. Many of these, this year, have already been bringing up impressive victories.
"I see the young riders very well, Ayuso of course is a reality, Romeo is a rider who is doing very well both in time trial and on the road, Romo is also doing very well, Torres is a rider that you just have to see how he is riding".
"Pericas, who has just won recently; Héctor Álvarez, who is also doing very well, in fact after breaking his collarbone he came to the Jaén Classic and was almost with the best riders racing with the national team. We have some very good riders and I'm sure I'm leaving some out. We have a present and a future. I think I'm coming to the national team at a very good moment".
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