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STAGE 1: VALVERDE PRAISES CONTADOR: “I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SEE HIM RACE HERE”
Brad Roe
July 5, 2008
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Recently crowned Spanish National Champion, Alejandro Valverde of Caisse d'Epargne calculated the final 500 meters perfectly and triumphed in Plumelec on Stage One of the 95th Tour de France. The finish was preceded by a narrow right turn over a bridge, then a leg-breaking climb to a false flat final 500 meters. The setup of the finish put most of the sprinters at a disadvantage and allowed Valverde to make a late break for the line. What made the victory even more dramatic was Alejandro’s claim he didn’t even know there was a climb to the finish line.
Valverde’s bike and kit was glittered with the yellow hues of his Spanish National Championship victory last week will and will work well with the yellow jersey on the 164.5 km stage two tomorrow from Auray to the coastal town of Saint-Brieuc.
The 28-year old, Alejandro Valverde was elated on the podium and focused on his team at the beginning of the press conference saying, “The team controlled the race all day…it’s an impressive victory and an amazing day.”
Valverde is coming off a sparse racing schedule but one that saw him win the Vuelta Murcia, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, two stages of the Dauphine Libere (including a time trial) and the Spanish National Road Championships. “This victory is dedicated to my faithful supporters and those who can see cycling is a beautiful and difficult sport,” said Valverde.
When asked how it felt to be the next person to wear a yellow jersey after his countryman Alberto Contador, Valverde said, “It’s a great feeling to wear the yellow jersey after Alberto Contador and I would have loved to see him race here.”
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