With the emergence of Nairo Quintana as a potential Tour de France winner, Alejandro Valverde is going into what could be his final Tour de France as undisputed leader of the Movistar team. Having had his best ever start to a season, however, the Spaniard is feeling stronger than ever before and hopes to finally reach his big goal of stepping onto the podium in Paris.

Since he emerged as a grand tour contender in the 2003 Vuelta a Espana, Alejandro Valverde has had one big goal: to finish on the podium of the Tour de France. However, only very few riders have had the same amount of bad luck as the Spaniard and so far that elusive top 3 spot has always eluded one of cycling's most gifted athletes.

Last year Valverde was maybe stronger than ever before but a broken wheel on the windy stage to Saint-Armand-Montrond saw him drop out of podium contention at a time where he was in the perfect position to finally finish in the top 3. This year he is returning with the aim of finally reaching his goal and he is more confident than ever before.

The reason for his belief in his own chances is his fabulous start to the season. He may be 34 years of age but apparently he continues to improve. To stay fresh for the Tour de France he has done very little racing so far but he has still won no less than 9 races, including the Fleche Wallonne. Most recently, he crushed the opposition in the Spanish TT championships to prove that he is fully ready for the Tour.

"Actually, I was a bit impressed [by that result]," he told Biciciclismo in an interview on the eve of the road race where he finished second behind teammate Ion Izagirre.I" knew the final part was good for me but to win a time trial of 47 kilometers with that average speed gives me special motivation for the Tour.

"I enjoy what I do and the enthusiasm and excitement are still there. I do not have to look for special motivation. Even at 34 years of age, I feel better every. This year I have had a very good feeling and that means that I can go to every race with extra confidence."

Valverde attributes some of his success to a more relaxed approach after he served a two-year suspension for his involvement in the Operacion Puerto.

"During that time, I was training at home and enjoyed my bike," he said. "I was serious but I had fun. I was with my family and did things that I couldn't do before, like going to the beach. In fact, I found out that it served me really well. Like last year when I was going to the Tour and went to the beach to continue training there because I knew that I could train well there. I think it has given me a better life and more enthusiasm.

"I am not necessarily pushed on by the young riders. There are different generations, time passes by and you can't change your age. [Kwiatkowski and Quintana] are very good riders but they don't push me on. I continue with the same enthusiasm and always train well. And in Quintana's case, he is my teammate and there will come a time when I have to be available for him and I will be happy to support him.

"This year I am a lot less obsessed. I have had a very goodyear and I am very happy. I will fight for my big goal which is the Tour and I will try to do my best. A lot of things can happen, to me, Alberto or Froome. I know that I am good and then the race will decide the rest.

"The start of the race is very complicated. The first and second stages are particularly complicated and we will do a recon. We must be veru careful. And then there is the stage with the cobbles so you need to be 100% focused from the beginning and not lose any time. You can win the Tour in the final week but you can lose it every day."

Next year Nairo Quintana is expected to return to the Tour but Valverde doesn't rule out that he will line up alongside his Colombian teammate in a shared captaincy role.

"Clearly Nairo wants to go to the Tour and I understand and respect that he wants to be there as a team leader," he said. "That is only logical. I have the same desire but I don't min going there to help him and be there for him in the finales. We would be a good duo and we both know that we have to do what is best for Movistar. We can be a great pair and can go for the win."

Despite Quintana's rise throught the ranks, Valverde makes it clear that Movistar is his first priority when it comes to choosing his future team.

"I have always been here and we understand each other," he said. "I have various offers but now we will focus on the Tour. The rest is up to my agent. I am in no hurry. I know that I am good. The Tour can end in a good or a bad way, with good or bad luck, but it should not change anything.

"I do not know [how long I will continue]. With every passing year, I feel better. And this year has been an amazing change. I have noticed so much improvement. I go to the races with confidence and a bigger motivation. That helps me to always be fighting."