Alejandro Valverde’s 2016 schedule is a busy one, with two major novelties, the Tour of Flanders and the Giro d’Italia in addition to the Ardennes classics, a role as luxury domestique for Nairo Quintana in the Tour de France, and the Rio Olympic Games where he can add a golden touch to an extraordinary career. He doesn’t even exclude participation in the Vuelta a Espana. He began his journey at the team gatherin last week in Pamplona.

After the team party on Thursday, Valverde woke up early to do some running and go to the gym before he entered the team’s press conference.

”During the winter I like to change my routine a bit,” he told BiciCiclismo. “When I am not riding my bike, I like to do other sports. I try to rest for 15 to 17 days without doing anything. Then I start again without touching the bike, doing some walking, going to the gym and doing a bit of everything.”

Valverde may even expand his sports repertoire when his career I over.

“I will try an ironman or something like that,” he said. “It is more complicated but I think we should try everything. Swimming, the technique, will be my weakness. I am not a good swimmer. We'll see! For now we must think about what we are doing now.”

Already last year, Valverde played with the thought of doing the Tour of Flanders after he had a successful debut on the cobbles in Dwars door Vlaanderen and E3 Harelbeke in 2014.

“For several years I have had Flanders in the spotlight, but for one reason or another I have never done it,” he said. “This year I think I have to encourage myself to do it. I know it's hard but you have to try because I think it's a race that suits me well.

”I did Dwars door Vlaanderen and Harelbeke. This year I will do those two to prepare for Flanders and then we will see how it goes. I'll be there for a week. It will be a nice experience and I think I can do well.”

The other novelty is that Valverde will make a late Giro d’Italia debut at the age of 36.

”This year is a good one to do it,” he said. “The course is good and the level is pretty high. To win? It's difficult. I will be up against Nibali who has already won, and Landa and Chaves who are riders that are growing much. It will be difficult. It will be difficult to beat them, but I will be there fighting for the podium.”

Valverde refuses that he will only go for a stage win in the first week and then abandon to focus on the Tour.

”No, not at all, I want to do well,” he said when asked about an early withdrawal.

This year Valverde won Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. His Giro ambitions could have an impact on his chances in the Ardennes.

“They are all equal to me,” he said about the three races. “Maybe I will not be as fit as I've been these years when I was at 100% before enjoying a rest. This year I'm going to be at perhaps 80-85%. I want to do well but I will probably not be as strong as I have been in recent years. Of course I'll be there although it will be difficult to win. Let's try.”

Next year Valverde will have additional support from Daniel Moreno and Carlos Betancur who have both been on the podium in the Ardennes.

“Yes, it is clear that the team has been strengthened for these race and we have Dani who can be good in the classics and then be very helpful for the Tour. It is also important for me to have less pressure,” Valverde said.

“Doing Amstel and Fleche has always given me a base and given me something extra in Liege which is surely my best race.”

In recent years, Valverde has always prepared for the Tour in Sierra Nevada but next year he may change his approach.

“It's something I've always done before the Tour,” he said. “This year it depends on how the weather is. As I approach the Giro, we'll see how the conditions are.”

Another change to Valverde’s schedule is his return to Tirreno-Adriatico which will be his only stage race before the Giro.

“I only did Tirreno in 2002 and I found it very hard because it was my first year. Today the races are similar almost everywhere and the level is the same or similar at almost every WorldTour race.”

Being in Italy could also allow him to do reconnaissance of some of the Giro stages.

“Yes, maybe I'll check some but I do not know when,” he said when asked about his plans.

On the other hand, he is unlikely to check the course for the Olympics.

“I do not know if I'll have time,” he said. “It will be difficult before the Olympics,” he said.

Valverde again faces an extremely busy season.

“The idea is to do more than 80 days,” he said. “This year some have done more than 90, some have done less. I like it, of course. Yes, this year I finished quite tired but I am training at home and racing with the same desire.”