Valverde Set to Race the Tour De France, Soler at the Giro, say Movistar

Alejandro Valverde and Enric Mas will race in the rescheduled Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, Movistar announced on Wednesday, with Marc Soler their only lead rider at the Giro d’Italia. Movistar general manager Eusebio Unzue told reporters via videoconference that the team would be “initially led” by 2018 world champion Valverde and Mas at the Tour and Vuelta, which are respectively due to take place between August 29-September 20 and October 20-November 8.

“I really like the idea and being there with a great team and with Enric, we can have a great Tour,” said 2009 Vuelta winner Valverde.

“It is going to be a very special season and let’s see if we can take advantage of our opportunity.”

Soler will be given the chance to lead Movistar at his first Giro, which takes place over October 3-25 and is considered the biggest loser of the redrawn cycling calendar.

It has a six-day overlap with the Vuelta and will be raced at the same time as three ‘Monument’ classics.

“We believe Marc is ready, it’s a good opportunity and in recent years has earned the right to be a leader in a Grand Tour,” said Unzue.

Soler, who won the 2018 Paris-Nice, said he was happy with his team’s decision to make him the lead rider in Italy.

“Eusebio proposed the idea to me and I liked it… I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.”

RBA/AFP Photos: Bettini