Madrid (AFP)
Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde, 39, will be competing at the next edition of the Tour de France in preparation for the Tokyo-2020 Games, Movistar team director Eusebio Unzué told Spanish daily Marca on Monday.
"Alejandro has no other appointments scheduled before the Games, except the Tour," said Movistar team director about the 2018 World Champion.
The Tour de France 2020 will take place from June 27th to July 19th, before the Tokyo Olympics, which will start on July 24th. The road cycling event will be held the day after the opening ceremony.
This tight schedule will not be a handicap for the Spanish veteran, according to Unzué. "I think for him it will not be a problem, he knows he has a good ability to adapt to the climate of each country, and he quickly gets over the jet lag," he said. added.
Valverde's dream would be to retire from the professional world at the top of his game, with an Olympic gold medal around his neck, one of the few titles that still eludes him, like the yellow jersey of the Tour.
In the squad of 130 riders (40 in the time trial) that will start in Tokyo, Spain will be one of six selections with five riders in its ranks, the maximum allowed in the men's race, announced the Cycling Union this Monday.
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