Alejandro Valverde was without any doubts one of the most impressive riders this spring season, as he experienced most likely the best first part of the season in his whole professional career, contending for a victory in almost every event he lined up at. After enjoying a well-deserved rest period, Movistar leader returns to training with all his attention turned into the Tour de France, hoping for no less than a victory in July with his boosted self-confidence and rediscovered aggressiveness.

“This year, I rediscovered the aggressiveness that I had when I was young, the desire to fight for every victory and I gained my confidence back as well,” Valverde told in the interview for Cobbles and Hills.

Unsurprisingly, the 34-year old Spaniard aims to continue in the same line to finally conquer the French grand tour, his main objective of the 2014 season, after his last year’s quest for the mailot jaune was wrecked by crosswinds-boosted mechanical.

“I approach it with motivation, desire and a hope of achieving something. I’m rather calm as my early season was satisfying, but my opponents are strong. Especially Chris Froome and Alberto Contador. I do not find remaining contenders superior to me, although a lot can happen. Tour is the Tour, but I have experience, maturity, a great team and I’m very motivated.”

While a podium spot in the 101st edition of the Tour de France seems to be a “plan minimum” for Valverde, the 34-year old Spaniard does not hide that the yellow jersey is his real goal. Having his race programme carefully planned, Movistar leader revealed that he aims to ride the Tout-Vuelta double one more time.

“A podium, with a hope to get on the highest step,” Valverde clarified his Tour ambitions.

“I’m going to train in Sierra Nevada, gradually increasing a difficulty of workouts. If everything goes well, I’m going to participate in the Dauphine, the national championships and finally in the Tour.”

“I almost always rode the Tour and the Vuelta and it suits me well. Winning this way is always difficult, however.”