Alejandro Valverde has never won a Tour de France or a Giro d'Italia. He has also not achieved a medal at the Olympic Games and has only conquered the Vuelta a España once. If we analyze his record in grand tours by stages, his results may seem modest compared to other legends of road cycling. However, if we broaden the focus, his legacy in the great classics positions him as the best Spanish cyclist in one-day races.
Last weekend, Valverde reached a new milestone with his victory in the Liège–Bastogne–Liège, the oldest of cycling's five "Monuments," alongside Milan–San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and the Giro di Lombardia. At 35 years old, the Murcian is considered the most complete classics rider in the history of Spanish cycling. His versatility in one-day races has led him to win titles such as three Liège–Bastogne–Liège (2006, 2008, and 2015), three La Flèche Wallonne (2006, 2014, and 2015), and two Clásica de San Sebastián (2008 and 2014), as well as multiple podiums in the main events of the international calendar.
His dominance in road cycling is unquestionable, but his ability to adapt to demanding terrains makes him a cyclist who could well have shined in the world of mountain bikes. Valverde's skill in tackling challenging routes with explosive climbs and technical descents reflects the same expertise needed in mountain biking to overcome rough trails and difficult descents.
With six medals in the UCI Road World Championships (two silvers and four bronzes) and a title of Spanish Champion in Road and Time Trial, Valverde continues to pursue one of the challenges that still eludes him: stepping onto the podium of the Tour de France. Despite this, his longevity, consistency, and successes in one-day classics consolidate him as one of the most iconic figures of Spanish cycling, both in road races and in challenges that require the endurance and explosiveness characteristic of mountain bike cyclists.
Tuvalum Team
