Still got it: Alejandro Valverde takes victory on gravel debut in Spain

42-year-old prevails in his first event since road retirement

Alejandro Valverde on the podium of La Indomable
(Image credit: Movistar)

Former road world champion Alejandro Valverde hit the ground running in his new life as a gravel rider, winning his debut event in his native Spain on Sunday. 

The 42-year-old, who retired from his road career at the end of last season, powered away solo at La Indomable, a 105km race in Berja, Almería, to cross the line four minutes and 43 seconds ahead of second place Ismael Esteban Agüero (Logos Energía).

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Tom Davidson
Senior News Writer

Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.

An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.