After an unusual season this year, with the focus on the Giro and a start in all three Grand Tours, Alejandro Valverde has insisted that 2017 is all about returning to his tested formula of Ardennes-Tour-Vuelta.
"The idea is to return to what I was doing before, with the Classics and then the Tour and Vuelta," Valverde told Cyclingnews. "In my case, I'm looking to win the most important Classics and win where I've never won before, like Amstel or Lombardia."
Another one-day race that the Spaniard has never won is the Worlds. He has six medals, but no Rainbow Jersey. The 2017 course in Bergen, Norway may present a chance to finally win the race, although that wont become clear until more is known about the course.
"And then there's the Worlds – it seems like it will be a more demanding Worlds next year," he said of the course. "I want to see if I can be up there and take the victory."
Valverde as supposed to make his Tour of Flanders debut in 2016, but his Giro preparation meant he had to sip the race. He cant confirm if he will race it in 2017, but says he will ride the race at least once before the end of his career. His current contract runs until 2019.
"We've nearly gone there in various years but for one reason or another I've never done it," said the 36-year-old. “This year, we’ll see. At the moment the idea is to focus on what suits us and Flanders, it's a beautiful race, I don't want to retire never having done it. So it could be next year, or the following year, or the one after that. One year I'll do it."
20.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
17.04 - 21.04: Tour de Tunisie |
18.04 - 21.04: Eroica Juniores |
19.04 - 21.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
20.04 - 21.04: Gipuzkoa Klasika |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège |
21.04: Giro della Romagna |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem U23 |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem Junior |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes |
Kevin VAN IMPE 43 years | today |
Daniele COLLI 42 years | today |
Chanhyeok IM 23 years | today |
Daan LUIJKX 58 years | today |
Irena OSSOLA 36 years | today |
© CyclingQuotes.com