The classic of dead leaves will be the scene of two “little deaths”. Saturday, October 8, on the 116e edition of the Tour of Lombardy, fifth and last Cycling Monument of the season (the most prestigious one-day events), two big names in cycling will bow out: Alejandro Valverde and Vincenzo Nibali. A well-deserved retirement for the Spaniard and the Italian, aged 42 and 37 respectively (38 in November).
These are two huge awards that leave the peloton with 185 cumulative successes including 133 for Alejandro Valverde alone. Among his feats of arms: a Tour of Spain, a title of world champion, four Liège-Bastogne-Liège and five Flèches wallonnes. For his part, Vincenzo Nibali is one of seven riders to have won each Grand Tour (Vuelta in 2010, Tour de France in 2014, Giro in 2013 and 2016). He also gleaned the two Italian Monuments, Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Lombardy, twice. “It’s a great honor to end my career in one of my favorite races”he admitted in the days before leaving Bergamo.
Lombardy refuses Valverde
Unlike the “Shark of Messina”, the Tour of Lombardy has always refused Alejandro Valverde, second three times on the shores of Lake Como (2013, 2014 and 2019). “The Tour of Lombardy has often been my last race of the season, and it’s an event that I love”he nevertheless affirmed, Thursday, in a press conference.
“Given my condition, why not imagine winning and ending my career with a victory? », continued the native of Murcia. It’s a real possibility because at the end of the season, the puncher of the Movistar team collects places of honor: second in the Coppa Agostoni, fourth in the Tour of Emilia and third in the Three Valleys Varesines, Tuesday. “I am very happy with my last races. I think I’m one of the favorites for the Tour of Lombardy. In any case, I’m going there to aim for victory, I like the course »assured “Bala”, his nickname.
With Nibali (Astana), also at the forefront, on Tuesday, during the Trois varésines valleys (finally 13e), they embody a longevity at the highest level which could become rare as new talents emerge early. “I’m sad to see them go. They are two riders who marked me a lot, we shared some good moments on the road, they had a fantastic careerrecognized Tadej Pogacar, one of the great favorites of the Tour of Lombardy, where he will find the winner of the Tour de France, Jonas Vingegaard. I don’t see myself running that long, we’ll see but I don’t think so. You really have to be dedicated to make so many sacrifices over 40. Hat [en français dans le texte] ! »
The two stars have not really finished with cycling. “The Tour of Lombardy will be my last official race but I won’t stop riding”assured the Transalpin, Thursday, in an interview with Cyclingnews. He will also be at the start of the Saitama criterium (Japan), on November 6, like Alejandro Valverde. “After Lombardy I will rest, then I will do some outings with friends, some criteriums and, then, I will try to enjoy cycling in a different way, together with family, friends and companions”he said at a press conference on Thursday.
Nibali savior of Italian cycling, Valverde tarnished by the Puerto affair
The question of inheritance inevitably arises for two riders who began their professional careers at the start of the 21st century.e century. With his incessant taste for the offensive, the Sicilian marked a generation of runners, including the Frenchman Thibaut Pinot. Above all, he carried Italian cycling on his shoulders in a slow period on the other side of the Alps. “I can now admit that I suffered from the pressure and expectationshe explained to Cyclingnews. I’ve always been in the spotlight in Italy, but it’s not easy to deal with all that. »
For Valverde, a stain will inevitably darken his career. In 2010, he was suspended for two years for his involvement in the Puerto blood doping scandal. He has always denied being on the list of people involved in this affair. “I shouldn’t be questioned about Operation Puerto anymore. (…) I don’t even want to talk about it. I believe I have sufficiently demonstrated who I am since.he claimed in 2018.
Alejandro Valverde and Vincenzo Nibali will not be the only ones to pin a bib for the last time. Another sacred monster will hang up on Sunday after Paris-Tours: Philippe Gilbert (40). In the vineyard paths, the 2012 world champion and winner of four of the five Monuments (Paris-Roubaix, the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and two Tours of Lombardy) will try to win Paris-Tours a third time. A weekend that will definitely mark the end of an era.