"A very nice route, especially for the viewer. They will enjoy this Vuelta. There are explosive finishes and major climbs".” Alejandro Valverde summed up his opinion about the next edition of the Tour of Spain.

"It's a spectacular route and above all, very open, as always. As we have seen, it will have a TT, climbers and smaller riders may find their space with the GC and stage wins," said the Movistar rider, going over the first week and a half of competition at the presentation of the Vuelta.

There are plenty of climbs and summit finishes in the first fortnight, many of which will suit Valverde.

“Yes, they are good for me, but also for many other riders. The GC guys will have to be careful they don’t lose any time on the opening uphill finishes. You have to be very focused every day not to lose any time. The positioning will be very important. "

In Cazorla and especially in the Alpujarra region reach the first big tests, especially the second day with Sierra Nevada. "The final part will be demanding, but the rest of the stage is very hard and then heat hits pretty hard. It will be a stage of attrition. I domt actually knoe the climb but the heat will make it hard, even if the climb isn’t hard."

Then the race comes to his home, Murcia, with two stages: "It will be stage for a break, but it’s a difficult day because the climb is hard but the descent is very, very difficult and you have to do it twice. It will be a difficult stage and the heat will make sure of this." And along the Mediterranean, then comes the Cumbre del Sol: "The whole area is coastal and wind will make sure its tough. It’s not a long climb but there are some steep slopes.”

After that will come the first day of rest and the great stage of Andorra. "We have reached the high mountians and the GC will really be shaken up that day.”