Despite a good start to the Vuelta a Espana and a course that generally suits him quite well, Alejandro Valverde has played down his chances of winning the race overall.

He points to the fact his Movistar teammate Nairo Quintana is also competing for the GC, as well as the fact he has already done the Giro and Tour, taking third and sixth overall.

Valverde told the Spanish news agency EFE that he is “not racing with any ambition for the overall, with no kind of pressure and that obviously makes me feel more relaxed.”

He says that while he would like to do a good GC if it is possible, he says he will do what is best for the team, meaning being Quintana’s domestique de luxe in the mountains is possible.

“I don’t rule out that I work for what’s best for the team overall, above all for Nairo Quintana, who’s in very good shape.”

Valverde, winner of a stage in last year’s race, says another stage win is more valuable to him than another top ten overall.

“For me, a stage win would be more important than getting in the top ten overall, but let’s see how my body reacts to a third Grand Tour. It’s the third major Tour in four months and the fifth in twelve months if you add in the Tour and Vuelta of last year.”