Alejandro Valverde close to victory in the Coppa Agostoni

"We have been in the good cut, I have started from afar and one has overtaken me, but I am happy"

MADRID, 29 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The veteran Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) has caressed the victory this Thursday in the Coppa Agostoni 2022, the first of the last four tests of his professional career, by finishing second behind the Dutchman Sjoerd Bax (Alpecin-Deceuninck).

The Murcian was left without the victory in the last sprint, which was finally won by the theoretically least favorite of the runners in the lead. Thus, the Murcian was left with honey on his lips when launching the final attack from far away, although he was overcome in the last meters.

The last 'bullets' began this Thursday with the 75th edition of the Coppa Agostoni, whose winding route, on the outskirts of Milan, gave the strong telephone block a first taste of what to expect throughout the following week in the north from the country.

193 kilometers with a first straight section of about seventy, passing the Sirtori elevation twice, and four laps of a demanding circuit with Colle Brianza and Lissolo, in which Valverde, at 41 years old, was unable to complete the great work of his teammate Enric Mas, who declined to participate in the final sprint.

"I have felt very well. I would like to thank the team who have done a very good job. A rainstorm has fallen on us, but we have been far-sighted. We have been in the good cut and Enric has worked very well. Finally I have started from afar and one has overtaken me, but I'm happy", concluded Valverde, who will say goodbye to professional cycling after completing the Giro de Emilia, on October 1; the Tres Valles Varesinos, on the 4th and the Giro de Lombardia Lombardia, on the 8th of October.