ALCOBENDAS (MADRID), Dec. 21 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish former cyclist Alejandro Valverde thanked this Wednesday for having had the end of his sports career with which he had dreamed and assured that he had “enjoyed a lot” after so many years, while he believes that he can now help a Movistar Team in another role where he sees Enric Mas as “a 100 percent leader.”
“It has been very beautiful. It has been a finale that I dreamed of, I could have retired in 2021, but with all the pandemic and the few public that there was, it was not pretty. The finale has been spectacular, especially in La Vuelta, with tributes in all the departures and arrivals, and in Italy we had four very beautiful races and also the results were good”, Valverde said during the presentation of the Movistar Team for 2023. “I enjoyed it very much, it’s a shame to leave”, he later added excited after watching a tribute video.
For the Murcian, the team already has “young and not so young who are doing very well.” “I think we left a very good relay,” admitted the ex-cyclist who will now have another role in the team. “I am a happy runner, with a young mind. I have really enjoyed this concentration with them in Alicante and I see them very motivated and encouraged,” he said.
“I see many things that I can transmit to the directors. Next year I will be more in the car and the bus and I will be able to help a lot,” he said. “Anything that is to contribute and help make the team better, which is already a great team, to unite and be in any event that has to be done with the team and with Movistar. It is an honor to continue being linked and I need it”, The one from Las Lumbreras added, he recognized that during his career what motivated him to continue training was “the passion” for his sport.
“Today I have enjoyed in a different way from other years, and seeing all my teammates up. We have a nice challenge next year, many things can be done. Train with them and see how they are from the inside. Go to the races, give a image as well, that there be more coordination between brokers and directors”, he later stressed to the media.
Valverde confessed that “it is difficult to disconnect”. “There has to be a transition and little by little you have to disconnect, see where you are and go to the other side. I still have the head of a runner because I’m still where I was two months ago,” he stressed.
“Now I don’t miss anything because I’ve done sports and I’ve been to the same events, so I haven’t noticed the change. It’s true that when the competition starts I won’t compete and they will leave,” said the Murcian.
On the role of Enric Mas now that he has left, he made it clear that he sees the Balearic Islands “very well”. “He is already a one hundred percent leader. He has shown it with the end that he has done this season and we are going to see him achieving very nice things next year,” said the world champion.
“The calendar will be similar to the previous year. Now it is a three-year period and the points start from scratch. I hope the season starts well and points can be obtained. For the classics, Cortina, Aranburu, Gorka there are riders who can do it well “, sentenced Valverde.