I’ve always liked Alejandro Valverde as a bike racer. He is a superb rider who has delivered on some dramatic victories including Liège-Bastogne-Liège, San Sebastián, Flèche Wallonne and Grand Tour stage wins to name a few.
As you all know he is under a two year suspension for his involvement in Operación Puerto. Valverde was linked to a bag of blood from the raided laboratory of the infamous doctor Fuentes labelled ’18′ which contained EPO.
Since Valverde has raced throughout the entire period of the lengthy CAS appeal until his victory in the Tour de Romandie in May, 2010, his ban effectively lasts for 19 months. Valverde has contested the decision and has announced that he is launching a lawsuit against CONI’s anti-doping prosecutor Ettore Torri .
Jarrod Partridge (from Cycling Tribe) has worked his way into getting an interview with Alejandro Valverde and will be posting it here on Cycling Tips. As per usual with the interviews here, I’d like to give you the opportunity to ask the questions. Valverde knows very well what types of questions will be coming his way, so don’t hold back. Feel free to ask him whatever you like, but please be respectful (he’ll be reading this). I’ll take the top 15 or so questions and the interview will take place this week.
Please add your questions or opinions underneath in the comments section.
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{ 62 comments }
Dear Alejandro,
Do you feel any guilt, and will you be apologising to the clean riders you dudded and the fans you disappointed.
Do you think Op Puerto etc has made cycling cleaner, or just made the cheaters smarter?
What do you think is the future for the Caisse D'Epagne team when the sponsors move on? Any inside info on potential new sponsors, or will you team up with Alberto in a new Spanish Super Team.
Wade – Maybe don't ask in that order!
Hypothetical question: “If you were a participant in a game, (the rewards of which were significant; being world famous, adored by fans and importantly able to get rich beyond your wildest childhood fantasies) and you knew or thought that everyone else in the game were cheating just a little, could anyone (you in particular) resist the temptation to also cheat (just a little)? Furthermore, surely logic would demand that you did cheat – to do otherwise would ensure that none of the wonderful things on offer from the game would be achieved.”
Do you know Lee “Hollywood” Turner is in love with you? :P
In your opinion, who was the best rider you've ever ridden with, and why?
What other sports were implicated in Operacion Puerto?
Aside from the obvious (do you not have any shame etc.) what is your view on the criminalisation of doping worldwide? Would this provide enough of a deterrent?
did you do it ?
How did you start cycling? How old were you, who introduced you, when did you start getting serious with your training? I'd like to hear about the period between him just starting out to when he got his first big break.
Where do you get your passion and drive to be the best? Have you always wanted to be at the top? Did it come naturally/easily or do you think you had to work harder than everyone else to achieve it?
[questioners note] Obviously there's going to be a heap of questions about drugs, drugs in sport and all that jazz, but what i really want to know is about the rider at the top.
Will you stay at my place when the World Championships are on this year?
Describe Neil Stephens' influence on the Caisse D'Epagne team.
Which non-spanish rider are you closest to in the peloton?
If you could recruit one domestique from another team, who would that be?
What was the single best piece of advice (wisdom) that you have received during your career?
Hola Amigo. How do you think your chances are of a stage win this year and what do you think about Contaor and Armstrong? Chau!
I assume there is a bit of chat between all riders, regardless of teams, in the peleton…what is typically discussed, bike? girls? best coffee stops etc ? or is it pretty much head down and ride ?
Is your favourite song Lady Gaga's Alejandro?
What measures would you recommend the various anti-doping authorities should enact to catch cheats?
1) I want to believe you but I don't understand how you can be innocent if your DNA is linked? Please explain.
2) What is it like riding the Pinarello Dogma, the worlds best bike, is there much difference to the Prince?
3) Would you like to ride for Team Nacional under a fake name in Australia?
sex or winning a tour stage? which feels better?
Have you seen or heard much about the course for the World Championships in Geelong? Which of your Spanish team-mates do you think could be a contender?
Do you really think that cycling has turned the corner in respect to doping in the peleton?
The public view of cycling and doping has changed greatly over the last 12 years. This seems to have now effected the attitude of the whole peleton. Do you feel you are stuck between the OLD way, and the NEW way? How has your attitude toward doping change in the last 12 months given what you have been through?
a) If the two year ban remains, how do you see yourself becoming a better bike racer when you can't race? How do you think it affects your potential to be a Tour De France Contender?
b) what do you think is a fair punishment for a rider who has been caught for doping and confessed? (Thomas Frei comes to mind as a recent example of this)
Alejandro you are obviously a very talented bike rider. My question is that you have been nominated as a Grand Tour GC contender numerous times but have never really lived up to the expectations of the so called experts in these races, yet you have had some brilliant wins in the classics. What do you think you need to differnently fulfill your aspirations of winning a Garnd Tour?
eerrrr, was not winning the Vuelta Espana in 2009 enough to prove he can win a grand tour?
Alejandro
You were once one of my favourites. I have two questions. Why do you think CONI got it wrong? Do the Spanish riders have a problem with Cadel Evans.
Alejandro – Cycling fans are fed up to the back teeth of hearing denials from riders who are patently involved in doping.
I have my own theory on why doping is and has been so widespread in Cycling. I think that Pro cyclists are convinced that doping is required less to gain a competitive advantage but more to safely prepare the body for the efforts demanded in a pro tour and season long campaign. No different really to vitamins/carbo powder/protein mix for your average amateur (the legality or otherwise just seen as the UCI having to portray the right image to the public). I think (some) team doctors probably reinforce this view and team management take the view that it is what is required of a Pro to fulfill his obligations to the team. I cant help thinking it has been this systemic, I hope its changing.
Can you give an HONEST and candid appraisal of your thoughts on my theory and detail how you will make your comeback as a clean rider, and prove you are clean. I believe the onus will be on you (as with any suspended rider).
You obviously have a lot of class, and massive talent, (dope or not) ultimately though, I want to believe in what I see.
When did you first realise you had what it took to be a pro?
You hear stories of top Pro riders as juniors and young seniors dominating at domestic level on barely any training. I thinks its largely mythology and urban legend, but i'm interested to know what that realisation feels like, and how it comes for a world class pro. Stories of creaming your local chain gang on a rusty old bike, age 13, would be great!
He won last year's Vuelta.
Here is an interview with Valverde that may answer some questions people are having-
http://www.cyclingtribe.com/article/post/show/i...
I have just come from court. I am now a divorced man, not something I wanted to happen. It strikes me that in any given moment we only ever do what we think is right to do, hence we do it, regardless of what it may be. It was raining, and in the rain was a girl riding a bike. She wasn't a pro. Her bike wasn't anything special, except that it was a bike, and in that, it was nothing short of amazing. I can close my eyes and feel the sensation of being alive and free that comes with simply riding down the road on my bike, alone or otherwise. Could you please share something of what the feeling of simply riding a bike is for you?
Do you use Glad Freezer Bags, Super KIng zip lock freezer bags or any old plastic bag to store your blood? Just curious.
What are your plans for your carrer with this suspension?
How do you feel about Basso being able to race now and you not?
Alejandro, I'm not going to scare you with probing drug questions, fair's fair, Basso can win the Giro, so can you, tomorrow is a new day!
Questions for Alejandro Valverde:
• What's your training load like? What do you concentrate on?
• What do you do a week in training – k's/hours?
• What's Spanish cycling like from junior to PRO level?
• What's the rivalry like with the Basque?
• What are your numbers like in Watts? FTP? TSS?
• What do you do for nutrition on and off the bike?
• How do you prepare for a grand tour?
• Give us an insight into a team like Caisse d'Epargne?
• Give us an insight into Valverde the man we would'nt read in magazines?
• What's it like to have a lieutenant like Luis-Leon Sanchez by your side?
• How do you and Luis-Leon race tactically?
• What are your thoughts on the Aussie PRO's?
• Do you enjoy competing at the Tour Down Under? How do you use it to prepare for the rest of the year?
• What advice would you give an up and comer?
… don't forget Hollywoods questions ;)
All the best mate, I still love you!
Good bunch of questions! The practical stuff I'm dying to know; weekly training loads, nutrition, tactics, etc, etc..
Fair enuf I forgot about that.
Question still valid what do you do differently to win one?
Err Basso did his time and if Pitti went out he would be back by now…
A more relevant question would be how he see's his case as being different to Basso, ie someone who has never failed a test but has been directly linked to an “intention to dope”
Actually CT I would like to add that into the mix, it is a natural development to Hollywood's first question, as well.
Definitely, I'm after the practical stuff as well!
How do you feel about Lance Armstrong announcing that this will be his last Tour?
There's a perception that Spanish cycling (Spanish sport) is scared of increased drug-testing. Can you give an insight as to why that might be wrong, and to the powerful issues for Spanish cycling that outsiders don't know about?
(I'm not trying a sneaky way to get AV to talk about himself here – it's genuinely about the whole.)
No doping questions from me – as Ullrich said – 'anyone who can't add one and one together about what happened in cycling is beyond my help'.
Instead I'd like to ask about timing of attacks. Valverde is similar to Rebellin, in my opinion, in that he'd usually only make one attack, but make it stick. What goes through his mind when making an attack – how does he choose the time? Is it just gut feeling, or is it an analysis of the strength of the opposition, wind, distance to finish, parcours, etc. Does he plan attacks in advance on on the road?
Also, I'd like to hear what his point of view is with race radios – they are a great convenience to teams and directors, but does he feel that they give an advantage to tactically poor riders at the expense of those riders who can read a race?
1. Do you do any alternative exercises to cycling in the off season?
2. How do you (and the majority of the other Spaniards) weigh so little, despite not being midgets, and in your case still having a dependable sprint?
3. How do you train to have such great climbing ability and aerobic capabilities, yet still have such a fast finishing kick?
No matter what happens, you'll still be a legend!
Hi on_the_rivet,
I've just borrowed this question for another interview i'm doing with Marco Pinotti as he's such a strong advocate of clean racing. I think it would be great to have his opinion on this as well.
Should be up on Cycling Tribe in the next few days.
Thanks!
Jarrod – editor The Cycling Tribe
As one of the most versatile rider since the great Eddy Merckx can you tell us your favourite race and favourite victory?
How can cycling deal with the problem of doping?
Are you in favour of lifetime bans?
Alejandro, Pinarello have immortalised you as ‘The Prince of Spain’…….is that cool or what??
Please don’t be humble.
Do you feel as though you are following the footsteps of Miguel Indurain on a Pinarello, and does it seem surreal to actually be doing that when he influenced your love of the sport?
Just as Miguel did, would you hope to spend your entire career on the one brand, is that a goal, like a footballer at only one club his entire career, do you feel a sense of romance about that?
Best of luck mate!
Alejandro,what keeps you motivated during the tough times, ie the last 12 months?
Your a great rider, hope things turn out well.
Is it coincidence Valverde's suspension coincides with the World Cup, and just before the TdF?
pero por supuesto que le gustaría montar para Nacional, x
sm
Does it frustrate you that without real knowledge or Pro Cycling and evidence that would stand up in a criminal court, people point their righteous finger at you as the “bad guy” but don't stop to mention that you are a victim of violations to your rights and privacy as a person?
Hi Vallter,
what is your opinion about the Tour 2006. Would have been anybody there to challange Jan at all? And, what do you think about the german media concerning cycling in common an Jan Ullrich especially?
Greets from the Ruhrpott
Rollentrainer
The perception is that the pro peloton is lot cleaner today than it has been in years. The Landis allegations at least suggest that several riders that still ride today at least doped some years ago. If the culture really has changed and the pros are clean these days, do you think some kind of amnesty program could work. What if riders could be excused for past transgressions with an admission of doping and their cooperation in developing a better testing regime and ratting out the doctors and other enablers. Is there merit to this idea?
My other question is how the subject of doping ever comes up to a rider. Surely you can't just ask around “Hey, does anybody know a good doctor that will help me dope?” Do team directors suggest a rider see a certain doctor with a nudge and a wink? Do riders in the peloton talk about this stuff? I am just curious about how this plays out.
When did you start doping?
What caused it? Was it lack of personal performance, or was it witnessing the gain in performance of others, or was it just to be cool?
What would your advice be to a young cyclist today?
What would your advice be to the parent of a young cyclist?
Honest answers only please.
Alejandro,
as rider I love the adrenaline rush I get when competing, especially in the closing kilometre of a road race . Your stage 1 victory of the 2008 Tour De France from Brest to Plumelec is still one of my all time favourite stage finishes to watch. Did you ever think coming into the final bend with 300m to go Kirchen's stolen the victory?
As a professional, do you rate that as one of your most exciting finishes to the line you have ever had? If not what has been your all time favourite finish where you have thought, 'How on earth did I win that!'
I hope your back racing at the Major Tours soon.
While top cyclists don't earn anything like what top footballers or golfers earn, as one of the world's best cyclists you're very well paid compared to the average person – and, unlike the rest of us, you don't have to blow all your money on bikes because the team supplies it all.
So… what toys do you like to spend your money on?
Alejandro, the impression that I’m getting with your case is that it’s becoming less about the truth and more about the methods behind which you were investigated and the subsequent damage to your human rights and reputation that it’s causing.
Has there not been a point so far where either yourself or your lawyer looked at the events that have unfolded this year with convicted dopers returning to the sport and winning? By this I’m referring to the examples of Vinokourov and Basso. One returned to jeers and animosity, the other to fanfare and adulation.
Guilty or not (remembering too that Basso never tested positive) are you not tempted to follow Basso’s example and serve your time without the indignity of fighting the ban every step of the way? Therefore saving yourself and the sport in general the acrimony when you do return and win? As I have no doubt you will win once you return, you have too much class and skill not to.
Alajandro-What drives you? A love of the bike, success or pleasing others/yourself?
CT. Ask him if they make his watch for men.
Alejandro – What's your favourite TV show that you like to watch when you do your blood transfusions? 'Lost', 'Biggest Loser' or 'Spain, you've got talent'?
Alejandro,
your positioning and setup on the bike has always looked 'perfect'. How did you get your positioning to look so 'textbook?'.
Has it come from
a) Hours and hours of measurements and custom frame building from the good people at Pinarello?
b) A personal bike setup guru or support staff member you have worked with for years?
c) Measurements you have personally developed and tweaked, that feel best for youf?
All the best.
I'm guessing it must be like cheating on your wife: First there's the elation of the moment, followed long terms grating of your conscience knowing that you're a pathetic loser.
Just the important stuff from me – what the hell is that thing on your left wrist in the pic?
It kind of looks like one of those tracking devices from the parole board…
Seriously it looks like something Steve Austin the 6 million dollar man wears.
Same with the other wrist, does Lance Armstrong make the peleton all wear Live Strong bracelets now?
Alejandro, reading through the various questions above, its very sad to see the majority fall under the subject of 'doping'.
You are at the latter end of your career, so how will it feel to leave the sport with the reputation of a doper amongst cycling fans?
What are your thoughts on riders releasing all their values? (blood results, VO2 max, power outputs etc). Surely if a rider has nothing to hide he would freely present his figures and have nothing to worry about. This would strengthen/repair the bond between pro riders and their fans who surely deserve transparency.
bikepure.org
I won't ask either about the blood and the doping. Which kind of race would you choose for your comeback, spring classics or stage races?
Hi Alejandro,
few questions:
1.- Do you know of any pro that rides clean?
2.- Why those riders that end second behind a racer that has benn found guilty of doping odn't claim the race?
3.- How much money did you spend in the process? Was it worth it? Why to fight the obvious?
4.- Aren't you scared of the effects of doping in your future? Healthwise and personalwise
Thanks for answering.
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