Vuelta a España - Alejandro Valverde: We are all tired of the leadership debate
Sep 04 2019 12:24 am CET
Photo of Alejandro Valverde © Mary Cárdenas / CyclingPub.com
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) finished the individual time trial of the tenth stage at the Vuelta a España one minute and 38 seconds behind the winner of the day Primoz Roglic.
The Spaniard completed the 36.2-kilometre long individual time trial in 48 minutes and 43 seconds, one minute and 38 seconds slower than Roglic -who won the stage and took the lead of the General Classification. The World Champion climbed to the second position of the overall standing, where he sits at one minute and 52 seconds from the Slovenian of Jumbo-Visma.
"1'38'' to Roglic? Well, it's not bad," said the rider to the journalists just after completing the course. "It is normal, he was the big favourite of this time trial. I felt good, in the end, I was a little empty but it was a very long time trial. I think we have done a decent time. Yesterday I was analysing what is left of the Vuelta and it is unbelievable, very tough.
"We are good and anything can happen. Apart from Roglic -who has shown how he rides- and López, Pogacar will be another tough rival and if it wasn't because of his crash during the team time trial, he would be even closer to us. We will be going day by day because there is still a lot of racing to be done. Tomorrow will be another day to be aware of. There is still a lot of Vuelta to go and a minute more or less with Nairo doesn't change the way we will ride.
"In the team, we are all tired of the debate of the leadership: we both came to do it as best as possible for the Movistar team."
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