He's not even leading his Movistar team at the Tour de France this year, instead supporting Nairo Quintana, but Alejandro Valverde is still officially the most popular ride at the Tour de France...so far.
How do we know? Well that's according to the Tour's official postal service, Docapost who tally up the number of messages sent to each individual rider during the race.
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Ridley Kanzo Fast review: fast by name, fast by nature?Tested as past of our Gravel Bike of the Year award we put this Belgian speedster through its paces
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Virtual cycling becomes real: We watched the esports world championships live in Abu Dhabi and it absolutely deliveredExciting racing, celebrity attendance, pyrotechnics: it was so much more than watching people ride their trainers
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Rui Costa sprints to victory from breakaway trio on stage 15 of Vuelta a EspañaFormer world champion takes 31st career win in Lekunberri
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Still got it: Alejandro Valverde takes victory on gravel debut in Spain42-year-old prevails in his first event since road retirement
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Alejandro Valverde to return to racing with new Movistar gravel squadSpanish veteran will pin on numbers in his first ever gravel race at ‘La Indomable’ in Spain on 23 April
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Changing of the guard: Seven top cyclists who have retired in 2022Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tom Dumoulin have all called time on their careers this year
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‘I was rubbing shoulders with Nibali and Valverde’ - Oliver Knight gets starstruck at Vuelta a BurgosUAE Team Emirates rider makes big step up in key race before the Vuelta a España
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Alejandro Valverde involved in hit and run incident during training in SpainMovistar confirm rider suffered no fractures or other injuries
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Alejandro Valverde: Second place at Flèche Wallonne 'is worth as much as a victory'Spaniard finishes on podium for eight time in final time up Mur de Huy
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Alejandro Valverde confirms he will stay with Movistar for 2022The Spaniard enters his 18th year with the Spanish-based team, which could be his last
