Spain’s Valverde dedicates Liege victory to dead Scarponi

ANS, Belgium, April 23, (AFP): Spain’s Alejandro Valverde dedicated victory to Michele Scarponi, who died on Saturday, after winning the prestigious Liege-Bastogne-Liege race for the fourth time on Sunday.

The 36-year-old overhauled Irishman Dan Martin in the final 300 metres to add to his fifth win at Fleche Wallonne on Wednesday.

“This win is for Michele Scarponi. He was a good friend of mine,” said an emotional Valverde.

Italian Scarponi died in a training accident after being struck by a van in central Italy on Saturday.

“It hurts to think he’s gone, I’ll miss him. I’ll give all my prize money from this victory to his family. This win is also dedicated to him.”

It has been a remarkable start to the season for Valverde, who turns 37 on Tuesday.

He has won four stage races – the tours of Catalonia, the Basque Country, Andalusia and his home region of Murcia – already this season, and two one-day classics.

On Wednesday he extended his record of Fleche Wallonne successes to five and has now added a ‘Monument’ victory to his remarkable accolades.

Only the great Eddy Merckx, with five, has won Liege more times than Valverde.

Victory in the epic 258km race came 11 years after Valverde first tasted success at Liege.

The day started with a minute’s applause in memory of Scarponi.