Last chance for Valverde

LA FLÈCHE WALLONNE 21 April | Belgium | 1.UWT/ 1.WWT

Last year was tough for everyone, but probably especially so if you turned 40 during a global pandemic, and struggled to adapt while people 20 years younger zipped around and won things. Alejandro Valverde is now in the twilight of his career, with his powers visibly waning. The Spaniard has not won a race since stage 7 of the 2019 Vuelta, which may not sound like too long ago, but 2020 was the first year that he did not win a race since 2011, and that’s when he was suspended for doping violations.

Valverde is due to retire at the end of this year, meaning the scene is set for one final tilt at the race that has brought him the most success. The Mur de Huy has been a place of celebration for the Movistar rider five times, including four years in a row between 2014-2017. He’s also finished second twice, the last time in 2018. He chose the Tour-Vuelta double over Flèche last year, with Marc Hirschi claiming the victory. Agonisingly for Valverde, the Swiss is aged only 22.