The Spanish Movistar rider Alejandro Valverde was celebrated for his "terrific" year last Sunday in Abu Dhabi where he said that the third-place finish in the Tour de France was only possible because of teammate Nairo Quintana.

The rider from Murcia, winner of the WorldTour individual classification for the fourth time, welcomed the emergence of Nairo Quintana whom he defined as "a great team leader" for the Tour.

In the latest edition of the event, Valverde took third place on the podium "because he was there with me," he told EFE.

At 35, Valverde believes that "getting more than third" in the Tour de France "is quite difficult."

"I have a teamate like Nairo Quintana who is a great team leader for the race and we must support him as much as possible," he said when asked about his aspirations to win in Paris.

Valverde also confirmed that he will keep riding for at least two years. "It is the contract that I have," he said.

After "a great year", crowned with his first place in the ranking of the International Cycling Union (UCI), the rider from Murcia said that in 2016 his "big goal" will be to win at the Olympic Games in Rio.

"The course suits me very well," he said.