Less than two weeks before the start of the Tour de France, 2015 Tour podium finisher Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) has recognized that it's going to be very strange for him to take part in cycling's most important stage race without feeling stressed out. The Spanish champion has vowed to help teammate Nairo Quintana win the overall title.
In an interview with Spanish newspaper, El Espanol, Valverde, a pro since 2002, agreed that it would be odd for him to race the Tour de France without fighting for a top placing. "It will be the first-ever Grand Tour and the first major race of any kind that I've taken part feeling completely relaxed.
"If I have to lose time on a flat stage, then I will lose it and I won't be upset."
ADVERTISEMENT
Third in the Tour last year, Valverde will take part in the Spanish Nationals this week, where he is the defending road race champion, before going on to the Tour de France and the Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games is a major goal for Valverde, but after finishing on the podium of the Giro d'Italia in May, the veteran will be racing the Tour purely in a support role for Quintana.
"When we reach the mountains I'll be fresher this way in order to be able to help Nairo," Valverde commented to El Espanol. "I'll also be freer to hunt for a stage victory, on the understanding, of course, that it doesn't harm the team's main goals.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/28JFIHP
No comments:
Post a Comment