The secret of Alejandro Valverde’s youth: he is now 42 in top form

There may be older runners than Alexander Valverdebut little or almost none continues to perform at the highest level like the Murcian cyclist. ‘The bullet’ celebrates this Monday 42 years after being 7th in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, to spoil the best in ‘the dean’ another day, at a time when he continues to be at a great height.

So far, the Murcian cyclist has competed in a total of 21 days spread over 3,320 kilometers. He started in sixth place on Calvia Trophy on January 26, and two days later he achieved his first victory of the season, at Pollença-Port d’Andratx Trophy.

Alejandro did indeed hold a plenary the following month at the Galician Gran Camiño, a race in which he won one stage, and took the green jersey classification and general classification, but, even if he did not achieve success, for the history of cycling is the 2nd place in Strade Bianche then Tadej Pogacar at the 2nd in Fleche-Walloon afterwards Dylan Teuns. It is enough to remember the hug of two champions like Valverde and Pogacar in Tuscany or the words offered to him by the double world champion. Julian Alaphilippe to Alexander after finishing in second position Wall of Huy: “Chapeau”.

Valverde debuted in 2002 in the ranks of Kelme-Costa Blancago through Balearic Islands, Caisse d’Epargne Y Movistar team, playing this year in what is his 21st season as a professional. He won everything that could be won in the world of cycling, reaching a total of 133 victories. Winner of the returnwith podiums on Italy is spinning and in Tour de Franceis nothing more and nothing less than five wins in five wins in Walloon Arrowfour of Liège-Bastogne-Liègeand it can be said that he was given justice by the cycling world when in 2018 he won a gold medal in World Championship in Innsbruck (Austria).

He experienced a severe fall that melted the hearts of all the fans, as experienced in the inaugural trading card of 2017 Tour de Francewhere he recovered in record time, the product of a privileged body and the extraordinary love he feels for the bicycle.

No one knows that the years weigh on his feet, he is human, and he has extended his professional career until 2022 because of the Covid-19 pandemic and because he felt the need to feel the heat of the fans. , the persuasion. of the public who idolize and worship him. At the back of Liege, will perform his second Italy is spinning from May 6, after San Sebastian Classic, before graduating, a priori, to the Vuelta, where at each stage of it there will be a mass bath. Let’s see if he decides, on Madridpermanently get off the bike as he did Alberto counter in 2017, although it should not be ignored that he will extend his gold career for a few more days and we will see him at the World Championship to be held in W.Ollongong (Australia).