“I'm still here and there. If you relax, it becomes old”: Alejandro Valverde | Interview | Cartagena

The Spanish Alejandro Valverde, 45, will compete this Sunday in Cartagena in the Movistar challenge.

Photo: Cesar Alandete

The Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde competes tomorrow in the Movistar challenge in the city of Cartagena. Share the exit with the Olympic medalist Mariana Pajón, the inspiring Juan José Florián 'Mochoman' and Oscar Sevilla. This Sunday, more than 3,000 athletes will compete in cycling and running. Everything will happen in the city of the walls and the sea.

In the Plaza de San Pedro, as if it were the exit of a classic of the World Tour, Alejandro Valverde arrived on time to his appointment with the viewer. This Sunday will compete in the Movistar challenge in Cartagena de Indias, but on Saturday he walked through the walls, as if he were in his Cartagena de Levante, in Murcia. The two cities, with the same name, seem sisters.

“Both are walled, they have sea, they share a lot of culture. I feel at home, but with that special Caribbean touch,” he says.

He is accompanied by his life friends, José Ramón and Javi, and also Liliana Rodríguez, executive president of Corpotourism. In the background, on the screens, a documentary on the impassive is projected, as many call it.

For Rodríguez, having elite athletes in the city drives active tourism. “Today we have Bike Friendly hotels and Sport Approved certified accommodations, something that did not exist before. Cartagena has an institutional infrastructure, capacity and will to house events of this level.” It is estimated that, among visitors, hotel occupancy, air transport and local consumption, the economic impact will exceed 10 billion pesos during the weekend.

Fabián Hernández, CEO of Movistar Colombia, celebrates the success of the challenge, which after Cartagena will arrive in Cúcuta and Cali. “More than 3,000 athletes participate in cycling and running. The presence of figures such as Valverde, 'Mochoman', Oscar Sevilla and Mariana Pajón strengthens Cartagena as the epicenter of sports tourism in the Caribbean and reinforces sport as the engine of development, inclusion and well -being.”

Valverde sits. We talked about his first bicycle, his retirement and his new passion -the serious. “I'm still here and there. If you relax, it becomes old.”

He is the same man who won the route World Cup in 2018, the return to Spain in 2009, and stubborn stage victories in the three great turns: the Tour de France, the Giro de Italia and the return to Spain. A reference. A champion. And, above all, a cyclist in which everything revolves around his family and sports discipline.

Alejandro, for what I investigated, at 6 years old his father gave him the first bicycle. How was that bicycle?

Yes, it's true. It was a bicycle that had previously been from my brother, with smaller wheels. But the first career bike, proper, gave me my grandfather when I was 9 years old. From there it was when I started competing in the cycling school, like a hobby. The truth is that I have very good memories of that time.

He has spent his entire professional career in only two teams: Kelme and Movistar. How is an athlete to stay alone in two groups?

For me it has been a privilege. I have had offers from other teams, but when you feel comfortable at home, there is no need to leave. I started in the Banesto Amateur team, which was the same structure that Movistar has today.

I was there my first year as amateur, then I went to Kelme, and from there I made the leap to professional with them. I am very grateful: they gave me the opportunity to debut as a professional.

Then, in 2005, I signed with the team that is now Movistar, at that time led by Eusebio Unzué, José Miguel Echávarri and others. And since then, until now, I have remained linked. Today I am a team ambassador, and for my part, I am very happy. I have felt, loved, valued and accompanied. I never felt the need to look for another place.

Am I going to tell you some names, and tells me the first thing you think?

List.

Lance Armstrong: A big runner and also a direct rival of mine.

Lucho Herrera: A big runner that I had the opportunity to watch on television. A reference of Latin American cycling. I loved seeing him and I have the images of his careers. He was the first non -European cyclist to win the return to Spain.

Nairo Quintana: He is a great partner, a great runner and a real champion

Egan Bernal: With Egan, the truth, I feel a lot of admiration. He had the bad luck of suffering a very serious fall, but he has had the courage to recover a very high level. I am sure that, if it had not been for that fall, its record would be even brighter. It was bad luck, but his courage is worth admiring.

There was a dark moment in his life, I mean the Operation Puerto and the doping in elite sport. How was that hard and long career?

Yes of course. It was a complicated situation, not only for me, but for all cycling. I fulfilled my sanction: I spent two years out of the competition.

But my head was always turned back, to show that Alejandro Valverde was there, that he had nothing to hide. And once I returned, I got more successes than I had before. That gave me a lot of personal satisfaction.

One day he crosses the goal for the last time as a professional, and the next day he is no longer an active cyclist … but enters a new world: the Grave. How did it end in this discipline?

In the end, Gravel was a discipline that was growing a lot, booming, and continues to grow. Movistar created a GraveL team, the Movistar Gravel Squad, and I had the opportunity to be part of it. I still compete from time to time, I still train, I keep taking care of myself.

I still linked to cycling, but now from another perspective: as a national coach and doing what I like the most, what I have done all my life.

What is the difference, Alejandro, between a serious bicycle and the one he used?

I still have the road bike of the Movistar team, which is now a Canyon. In addition, I am Canyon ambassador. The main difference is that the Grance has a similar geometry, but with a wider wheel step, for thicker tires.

It is a little longer between axes and higher on the ground on the pedalier axis. At first glance it seems very similar, but is designed to be more comfortable in irregular land

What expects the return to Spain 2025?

Let's see. We have a great favorite: Jonas Vingegaard comes from the Tour de France in a very good way, ended very strong. I think that in the return it will be very competitive. Then Enric Mas, and we also have several Spaniards who can be up there. It will be a pretty return, with a lot of emotion.

If we returned time, and we were on their last day as a professional, crossing the goal for the last time … What did you feel, sadness, nostalgia?

What you just said. Sadness and nostalgia. On October 8, 2022, it was my last career as a professional in the Lombardy turn, where it ends as a fifth. I retired while at the top. I could have continued competing several more years, but I felt it was the exact moment, the right time to say enough.

Now everything is a bit quieter at the level of objectives and training but well, in the end I still be there and here and you don't have to stop. If one relaxes, it becomes old. Friends accompany him with laughter.

Let's talk about a book that was written about you. “The legend of the unbeaten” by Jhon Rivas, says that “Valverde is a different corridor, a natural talent that manifests from a very young age, when they began to call the unbeatted, because no one was able to win a race in lower categories. Did you like how the book was?

(Take some water) yes, the truth is. They have written this book, they have made documentaries … and I feel very grateful. It has been a very well done job, and I loved how they portrayed my career.

What can happen to cycling at the level of followers when Tadej Pogacar continues to win every time he climbs his bicycle?

Look in Formula 1, many said that when Hamilton won everything, people stopped seeing her. But it was not so. Now Verstappen dominates, and Formula 1 is still exciting.

In cycling the same thing happens: we have Tadej Pugačar, which is clearly the best in the world. I do not say it, the results say. It is a generation of superstars. And for me, that does not bore, that inspires! It is to admire.

Have you surely been rolling to know the route?

I have shot two days: yesterday and today. Even with the time change, the Jet Lag, time decompensation, the body does not know if it is day or night. But I'm fine, delighted to be here.

On this occasion, the first time in Cartagena, does not accompany his wife and five children?

Yes there are five and wonderful with my wife Natalia. For me, the family is the most important. My wife and children are my pilar. They were coming, but the truth is that this type of trip is very intense: from here to there, without time to enjoy them as they deserve.

So they preferred to stay, and my two friends came.

Speaking of them that they are always by their side, they are a part of the journey, but then they are coined, when they get out of the bicycle as faithful and inseparable brothers?

(Everyone smoke again for a good time, in the background Javi's voice says: Try to talk more about us!)

Yes, José Ramón and Javi came, two friends with whom I always train in Murcia. One has a printing press, the other is director of a school … And by the way, the school bears my name: Alejandro Valverde school. The truth is that it is an honor, and we enjoy training and sharing moments together.

I know that your diet is very strict. How has you done to resist the temptations of Cartagenera cuisine?

I have not resisted much, really. We have tried several things: the Cartagenera post, and many other typical flavors. Today we did an experience in the kitchen: we prepared egg arepas, a typical dessert … and everything was very fun. The kitchen here is spectacular, and I enjoy it a lot.

And how did he go with the flavors, he dared with strong sauces and condiments?

I am not very mixing many sauces or spices. It costs me a little, but what I have tried is great. It was fun to see so many flavors colors in a very extensive cuisine and wonderful flavors.

When he returns to Murcia, what will he tell his family about this experience in the other Cartagena?

I will tell you wonders. I can't say anything else. I have already been before in Colombia, even with my family, in Medellín. People speak well of the country, but when they come, the impression is even better. Colombia is a special place and this Cartagena is also like my house.

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