Alejandro Valverde will ride Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España in final season
The Spanish rider consequently won't compete at the Tour de France ever again
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Alejandro Valverde has confirmed he will race the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España next season, and expects to return to the Ardennes Classics too.
As a result, the Spaniard won't compete at the Tour de France next season, with the Vuelta, understandably the priority, taking place just weeks after the conclusion of the race in Paris.
Valverde made clear last month he will retire at the end of 2022, stating he doesn't need to go on any longer in professional cycling. He reiterated those comments on Wednesday while speaking with reporters in Sangüesa, where he also outlined his plans for next season.
He told Radiogaceta de los Deportes (opens in new tab): “I tell you with full confidence, at 100 per cent, that next season will be my last as a cyclist. Even though at 42 my level is still good, after 21 years racing, what more do I want? My time has come.
"I already have something in mind for next year. The Tour de France I'm sure I won't do it but, if everything is going well, I will be in the Vuelta a España.
"I will do the Giro d'Italia, the Classics and then I will have to evaluate the national calendar."
Valverde will compete in the Giro for only the second time in his career in 2022, after he finished third in 2016 following a stage win.
Though he clearly would have liked to participate in the Tour de France, the Movistar rider needs time to recover sufficiently between events. Considering that the Vuelta in his home country is the priority, it makes sense he has opted out of racing the Tour.
Additionally, Valverde has a strong affinity with the Ardennes Classics, where he will hope to add a sixth victory at Flèche Wallonne and a record-tying fifth victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
However, the 41-year-old seems intent on enjoying his last year in the sport, while still maintaining a certain level of ambition.
He told Ciclismo a Fondo (opens in new tab): “I want to enjoy every race and be competitive."
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Ryan is a staff writer for Cycling Weekly, having joined the team in September 2021. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before making his way to cycling. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer.
-
-
Wout van Aert v. Mathieu van der Poel - a truly rare and iconic sporting rivalry
As the duo continue to trade blows on the biggest of stages, their rivalry will go down in history as one of cycle racings greatest
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'A movie that should have been made long ago': New film celebrates cycling’s first Black World Champion
A new film titled Whirlwind aims to return Major Taylor to the spotlight by celebrating his trailblazing life and lasting influence.
By Tim Peck • Published
-
Giro d’Italia organiser postpones Maglia Rosa presentation after death of Davide Rebellin
Presentation indefinitely postponed by RCS after Rebellin’s sudden death
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tributes to Davide Rebellin pour in from the global cycling community
Italian recently retired professional cyclist was killed yesterday morning after being struck by a truck
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Six things we want to see in Movistar's ‘The Least Expected Day’ season four on Netflix
The fourth season of the series following the exploits of the Spanish team expected in 2023
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
What I learned from watching season three of Netflix's Movistar documentary ‘The Least Expected Day'
Enric Mas battles to reach the top and 'Superman' brings the drama in the latest instalment of the Spanish Eastenders
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Two cyclists dead and three hospitalised after serious hit and run incident
Driver located and arrested after initially fleeing scene in Catalonia, Spain
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Man accused of reversing into Alejandro Valverde released with charges
Valverde didn't suffer major injuries in the hit and run incident and has since been released from hospital
By Ryan Dabbs • Last updated
-
Alejandro Valverde admits Giro d'Italia 'general classification very difficult because of my age' as he targets stage victory
The Spaniard is hopeful of winning a stage as he competes in the Giro for the just the second time in his career
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
What did we learn from the first elite road races of the year?
Alejandro Valverde is still good; Lotto-Soudal are hungry for results; Biniam Girmay might be a force to be reckoned with
By Adam Becket • Published