“Pogacar is extraordinary but Evenepoel is the best in the world”

Alexander Valverderetired as a professional cyclist on the 8th, the Slovenian assured Tadej Pogacardouble winner of the Tour de France, is an “extraordinary” rider, but that’s the Belgian Remco Evenepoelchampion at the last Vuelta a España, “is by far the best in the world”.

“With what he has shown so far, if he continues like this, he will definitely be better than me. To be world champion at such a young age, and to win the Vuelta, Liège, San Sebastián, is amazing,” said Valverde, who was in Singapore on the occasion of the Critérium organized by the Tour de France.

Speaking to “Cyclingnews”, the Murcian insisted that Evenepoel “does things that surprise everyone”. “He’s so much higher than everyone else. So, for me, he’s the best cyclist in the world right now, right now,” he said.

Asked about his recent retirement after more than 20 years of professional career, Valverde maintained that it was the right time to do it and that “it’s better to finish in a good way, with good results”.

“So people remember you as a 20-year-old cyclist with a good level at the beginning and a good level at the end. To continue for more than 42 years is unreasonable. He can have a good level in next year, but that’s it. I have to make way for young people and I will enjoy cycling from a different point of view,” he said.

Valverde said he was “happy with his career”, which ended “not only with 133 wins, but also with 110 runner-up finishes and another 105 third-place finishes”.

“There are more than 300 times on the podium. I have reached almost all of them,” added the Murcian, who closed his career in sixth place in the Il Lombardía classic and will continue to be linked to the Movistar team.