• Documentary: Depression hit Valverde after the doping penalty

Yorkshire 2019. Today, with the time trial for mixed relays, one (another) exotic unisex formula that could be part of the Olympic program in Paris 2024, the Road Cycling World Championships open. They will conclude next Sunday with the summit race: the masculine elite in the background.

Spain has enrolled in it the nine runners of rigor, led by Alejandro Valverde , who, at 39 April, defends the title. According to the characteristics of the route, it is not the main favorite. But nobody would dare rule it out for revalidation.

According to some of the most remarkable results of the season, it would be said that cycling is now a youth venue, a pacifier club and rattle. But, although select, the pipiolos remain a minority and the confidence in the experience still inspires the guild's decisions. Seven of those nine men are over 30 years old and have gone through numerous professional vicissitudes.

Valverde, in addition, and as we have learned days ago, for, even, a severe depression. Or two. The first, at the beginning of 2012, after serving the penalty of two full years (2010 and 2011) as a result of the 'Operation Port'. The past of suspicion and punishment came upon him. He reacted with an accusation to the world or an intimate atoning ceremony. Maybe both things. The second, in the spring of this 2019, wearing the rainbow jersey. I thought I had already achieved everything and lacked stimuli and horizons.

High-level athletes (our excited memory for Blanca ) seem especially threatened by these types of psychological disorders. They get depressed because they are injured or do not recover completely or soon. Because they fail and feel frustration or shame. Because they succeed and lose their enthusiasm or hunger. Because they endure crushing pressure or a humiliating lack of it. Because they withdraw or do not retire on time. Because they are too young or too old. Because success can be sound, but be hollow ...

Valverde, who is too young for his age, came out of depressions as he entered them: winning. He was cured with the same thing that made him sick. He has two scars left in his spirit and many more in his body. All have made it stronger. Today they contemplate and promote 127 sports victories and two moods. It is three in one. The perfect synthesis of the fighter, the resistant and the survivor.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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