Alejandro Valverde: Three Grand Tours were too much
Alejandro Valverde completed all three Grand Tours in 2016, claiming a 3rd place in the Giro d’Italia, a 6th place in the Tour de France and a 12th place at the Vuelta in an impressive string of results.
Despite being pleased with the experience, the Spaniard won’t repeat the schedule in 2017. “No! Here I answer very quickly. It’s too much. This year we wanted to try, not to win but to get the experience, but you cannot do well at all three of them. I’ve been through it and I don’t think I will repeat it.”
“The balance is very good. I have done all three Grand Tours, I won seven races; including the Fleche-Wallonne and I finished third in the Giro d’Italia and got a stage win. After the Tour de France I tried to help Nairo at all times and managed to finish sixth. In the Vuelta, I was also to support Nairo despite it being my third three-week race.”
“I liked the Giro. The Italian fans are amazing. The race, the organization … everything was great. I am pleased to have done it, not just with the final result,” he said.
Despite the good result, he felt stronger later in the year. “I had the best feeling at the Tour de France. I was third in the Giro but in July I found a higher level,” he added.
Valverde ended his grand tour season by supporting Quintana in his first Vuelta victory. “To participate in my third Grand Tour and win with Nairo is very important. It was nice to celebrate a triumph with the whole team. I am very pleased to have contributed to that success,” Valverde said.
