Alejandro Valverde leaves the Volta

MADRID, 26 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) has abandoned the 101st edition of the Volta a Catalunya, which this Saturday celebrates its sixth and penultimate stage, due to “physical discomfort” and “allergy and respiratory problems”, his team has reported.

According to the telephone squad, the physical discomfort derived from a fall on the Strade Bianche, as well as allergy and respiratory problems -not associated with COVID-19- that he has had these days in the race, invite him to stop participating in the lap Catalan to rest and focus on their next goals.

The Murcian was thirty-second overall in the event, 5:55 behind the leader, the Portuguese Joao Almeida (UAE Emirates). The round continues this Saturday with the sixth stage, 168.5 kilometers between Salou and Cambrils.