The new world champion Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) says he wants to race until the 2020 Tokyo Games, when he will be 40 years old.
Valverde, 38, became the second oldest road race world champion when he won in Innsbruck, Austria, on Sunday, ahead of Frenchman Romain Bardet and Canadian Michael Woods.
He does not intend on retiring soon.
"This victory is beautiful, I could even retire," Valverde said arriving home on Monday.
"No, I won't, don't worry. I still have a year left in my contract but I confess that I would like to get to the Tokyo Games. It could be the right moment to say goodbye."
>>>Five talking points from the 2018 Worlds men’s road race
Valverde already examined the Yorkshire 2019 World Championship course and the Olympic road race in Tokyo.
The road race in Japan climbs on the slopes of Mount Fuji and includes 4865 metres of climbing. Innsbruck's course totalled to 4670 metres.
"I think my retirement may be there," Valverde said.
"It would be my fifth Games and if I have the level, I would like to go. It's the medal I'm missing."
Valverde turned professional in 2002 and spent his first four years with Team Kelme.
Team Movistar has supported him since.
His contract runs through 2019, but the Spanish WorldTour team is expected to keep Valverde as long as he wants to race.
The 2018 season is not over yet, however.
Valverde will race Italian monument Il Lombardia on October 13 and possibly Milan-Turin and Gran Piemonte beforehand.
"If it were for me, I would have already got on my bike yesterday to train [after the worlds]," said Valverde.
"Next year? The Tour de France is not on the programme, but with the Tour I can't say with certainty 'I won't be there.'"
He should focus on the Ardennes Classics and the Giro d'Italia in the spring.
"I'm very hungry for success. I have done everything in cycling, so what comes now will be a gift."
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
-
-
'It's the ultimate drop bar bike' - Mosaic Cycles introduces new RT-1 model
Mosaic, the builders of custom titanium dream bikes, today unveiled a "sleeker, more capable" version of its flagship road racer, the RT-1
-
Cannondale Topstone loses 160g with new Lab71 edition
American bike brand gives its flagship gravel bike the high-end carbon treatment
-
Annemiek van Vleuten to target Vuelta-Tour-Giro treble again next season
The Dutchwoman plans to retire at the end of 2023
-
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
-
11 of the best photos from the 2022 Road World Championships
There were tears, hugs and kisses in Wollongong, Australia
-
Remco Evenepoel goes long to win the men's World Championships road race solo after stinging attack
The young Belgian was clearly the strongest on the day, but others need to ask themselves how and why they let him go
-
Annemiek van Vleuten soars to victory in World Championships road race despite broken elbow
The Dutch rider took the second road world title of her career with late attack
-
Zoe Bäckstedt retains junior road race title with stunning solo ride at World Championships
The Welsh rider celebrated her 18th birthday with a 58km solo attack and another rainbow jersey
-
Julian Alaphilippe says he is 'not the sole leader' for France in the World Championships road race
The Frenchman played down his form in an interview with L'Équipe
-
Tobias Foss shocks the favourites to win World Championships time trial
The Norwegian claimed the biggest win of his career, while Filippo Ganna finished in seventh
