Alejandro Valverde aims for October race return despite doctor's warnings
Movistar rider hopes to be back racing in three months time after being warned not to race for the next eight months
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Alejandro Valverde has reportedly resumed training after being discharged from hospital following breaking his knee cap in his stage one time trial crash at the Tour de France, just 52 days ago.
It's been reported in Spanish news outlet, El Periodico (opens in new tab), that the Movistar rider is set to go against doctor's orders, who have advised the Spanish veteran to race for at least eight months.
>>> Nairo Quintana says he’ll race the Tour de France with Movistar in 2018
Instead sources claim, Valverde hopes to return to the pro peloton in October where he aims to take part in the Tour of Guangxi in China, beginning on October 19.
Naturally Valverde's team, Movistar, seem apprehensive with the news reporting that they will be monitoring his knee's reaction to training.
However, the Murcian rider has shown a relentless desire to get back on the bike and Movistar feel a quiet race like the Tour of Guangxi could be the perfect place for his return.
Valverde won't be coming into his training cold after a number of intense physiotherapy sessions have seen him tackle the rehabilitation of his knee cap and his foot.
Both suffered nasty injuries after a wet course at the Tour de France in Düsseldorf saw Valverde skid out on a tight corner before colliding with a barrier.
Originally, it was believed that the fracture to his knee cap would end the his season but if Valverde has his way we could see a return before the season dies down.
Without Valverde or Nairo Quintana, Movistar are currently competing the Vuelta a España with a much weakened squad.
The Vuelta continues on August 21 with 158km of riding and the first climbing tests of the rest on stage three.
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
-
-
Ask a cycling coach: 'What's the ideal heart rate to burn fat while cycling?'
We take you through the biomechanics of weight loss - and the most effective approaches you can take
By James Spragg • Published
-
Belgian sets new World Record by riding 3,619km in a week
Matthieu Bonne staged his attempt in Arizona desert
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Women’s WorldTour calendar 'a mess' and 'a nonsense' says Movistar boss
The UCI must invest in the bottom of the pyramid to ensure the sport’s future says Sebastián Unzué
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Movistar quick to quash Mark Cavendish signing report
Italian press speculation over future of sprinter denied by Spanish team
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Changing of the guard: Seven top cyclists who have retired in 2022
Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tom Dumoulin have all called time on their careers this year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Van Vleuten confirms her superiority with Ceratizit Challenge GC victory
Elisa Balsamo takes the final stage bunch kick on the Madrid circuit after consummate work from Trek-Segafredo
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Silvia Persico takes Ceratizit Challenge stage victory after a tense aggressive final
Olympic champion Anna Kiesenhofer comes close to pulling off a repeat of her Tokyo triumph with a 158km solo break
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Van Vleuten in a class of her own winning the second stage of the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta
The Movistar rider attacked on the penultimate climb dropping all her rivals to take the overall lead with three stages remaining
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
‘I was rubbing shoulders with Nibali and Valverde’ - Oliver Knight gets starstruck at Vuelta a Burgos
UAE Team Emirates rider makes big step up in key race before the Vuelta a España
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Attack to defend: Van Vleuten on the edge of Tour de France greatness
Anything can happen, say Movistar but he team are confident Annemiek van Vleuten will ride into history on Sunday’s final Tour de France Femmes stage
By Owen Rogers • Last updated