Alejandro Valverde facts for kids

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Valverde and the second or maternal family name is Belmonte.

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Alejandro Valverde

Valverde at the 2018 UCI Road World Championships

Personal information

Full name

Alejandro Valverde Belmonte

Nickname

Balaverde (The Green Bullet)
El Bala (The Bullet)
El Imbatido (The Unbeaten)

Born

25 April 1980 (age 45)
Las Lumbreras, Murcia, Spain

Height

1.77 m (5 ft 91⁄2 in)

Weight

61 kg (134 lb; 9 st 8 lb)

Team information

Current team

Movistar Team Gravel Squad

Role

Rider

Rider type

All-rounder

Major wins

Grand Tours

Tour de France

4 individual stages (2005, 2008, 2012)

Giro d'Italia

1 individual stage (2016)

Vuelta a España

General classification (2009)

Points classification (2012, 2013, 2015, 2018)

Combination classification (2003, 2009, 2012)

12 individual stages

2 TTT stages (2012, 2014)

Stage races

Critérium du Dauphiné (2008, 2009)

Volta a Catalunya (2009, 2017, 2018)

Tour of the Basque Country (2017)

Abu Dhabi Tour (2018)

Vuelta a Andalucía (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)

Vuelta a Burgos (2004, 2009)

Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana (2004, 2007, 2018)

One-day races and Classics

World Road Race Championships (2018)

National Road Race Championships (2008, 2015, 2019)

National Time Trial Championships (2014)

Liège–Bastogne–Liège (2006, 2008, 2015, 2017)

La Flèche Wallonne (2006, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)

Clásica de San Sebastián (2008, 2014)

Giro del Lazio/Roma Maxima (2014)

GP Miguel Induráin (2014, 2018, 2021)

Other

UCI ProTour (2006, 2008)

UCI World Tour (2014, 2015)

UCI World Ranking (2018)

Vélo d'Or (2018)

Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (born April 25, 1980) is a famous Spanish cyclist. He raced professionally in road bicycle racing from 2002 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2022. Now, he competes in gravel cycling for the Movistar Team Gravel Squad. Since March 2025, he has also been the coach for Spain's men's national cycling team.

During his road racing career, Valverde won 133 professional races. Some of his biggest wins include the Vuelta a España in 2009. He also won the Critérium du Dauphiné twice and the Volta a Catalunya three times. He was very strong in one-day races, winning Liège–Bastogne–Liège four times and La Flèche Wallonne five times. In 2018, he became the World Champion in road racing.

Valverde is known for being a very versatile cyclist. He is good at climbing hills, sprinting fast, and racing against the clock in time trials. He has won many medals at the World Championships. He is considered one of the most successful cyclists ever.

Alejandro Valverde's Cycling Journey

Early Life and First Races

Alejandro Valverde was born in Las Lumbreras, Murcia, Spain. Cycling was a big part of his family. His father, Juan, was an amateur cyclist and gave Alejandro his first bike at age six. His brother, Juan Francisco, also raced bikes as an amateur.

Alejandro's first race was in Jumilla, where he finished second. The very next week, he won his second race in Yecla. He was so good that he reportedly won over fifty races in a row between the ages of 11 and 13. This amazing streak earned him the nickname El Imbatido, which means "The Unbeaten".

Amateur Racing Career

Because of his many wins, Valverde was invited to join the elite amateur team Banesto. This team was based in Navarre, quite a distance from his home. Traveling back and forth every weekend made it hard for him, and his performance suffered a bit.

He then moved to the development team for the Kelme–Costa Blanca professional squad. Here, he was coached by Francisco Moya, who helped him become a much better cyclist. The team promised him a spot on their professional squad if he performed well. At the end of his first season, they kept their promise.

Starting as a Pro: Kelme (2002–2004)

Valverde became a professional cyclist in 2002. He joined the Spanish team Kelme–Costa Blanca and stayed with them until 2004. In 2003, he had a breakthrough year at the 2003 Vuelta a España. He won two stages and finished third overall in this big race.

That year, he also won the Vuelta a Mallorca and a stage in the Tour of the Basque Country. He also won other Spanish races like GP Primavera and GP Villafranca de Ordizia. He finished the 2003 season with a silver medal at the 2003 UCI Road World Championships.

In 2004, Valverde chose to stay with Kelme, even though the team had money problems. He won the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, the Vuelta a Murcia, and the Vuelta a Burgos. He also won a stage in the Tour of the Basque Country. He finished fourth in the 2004 Vuelta a España, even after a crash. He also competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Racing for Caisse d'Epargne/Movistar (2005–2022)

2005 Season Highlights

Valverde at the 2005 Tour de France

In 2005, Valverde joined the Illes Balears–Caisse d'Epargne team. He won the last stage of 2005 Paris–Nice and finished second overall. He also won two stages in the 2005 Tour of the Basque Country. In his first Tour de France, he won Stage 10, beating Lance Armstrong in a sprint.

He was doing very well, leading the young rider classification. However, he had to leave the Tour during Stage 13 due to a knee injury. He recovered just in time for the 2005 UCI Road World Championships in Madrid. Despite his injury, he finished second, earning another silver medal.

2006 Season Highlights

Valverde at the 2006 Tour de France

In 2006, Valverde won a stage in the 2006 Tour of the Basque Country and finished second overall. He then won two big Spring Classic races: 2006 La Flèche Wallonne and 2006 Liège–Bastogne–Liège. He also won a stage in the 2006 Tour de Romandie.

Valverde hoped to win the 2006 Tour de France, but he crashed on the third stage and broke his collarbone. This forced him to leave the race. Later that year, he entered the 2006 Vuelta a España as a top favorite. He won Stage 7 and wore the leader's jersey. He finished second overall, his second podium finish in a Grand Tour. He also won the 2006 UCI ProTour title. At the 2006 UCI Road World Championships, he won a bronze medal.

2007 Season Highlights

Valverde started 2007 by winning the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and Vuelta a Murcia. He also won his first individual time trial stage in the Vuelta a Murcia. He finished second in both 2007 La Flèche Wallonne and 2007 Liège–Bastogne–Liège.

In the 2007 Tour de France, he finished sixth overall, completing the race for the first time. He decided not to race the 2007 Vuelta a España to prepare for the 2007 UCI Road World Championships.

2008 Season Highlights

Valverde at the 2008 Vuelta a España, wearing the blue jersey of points classification leader.

In 2008, Valverde was in great shape. He won the Vuelta a Murcia and the Paris–Camembert. He also won 2008 Liège–Bastogne–Liège again. In June, he won the 2008 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré and the Spanish National Road Race Championships.

On July 5, Valverde won the first stage of the 2008 Tour de France. He finished in the top ten overall. He then won the 2008 Clásica de San Sebastián. At the 2008 Vuelta a España, he won Stage 2 and wore the leader's jersey. He finished fourth overall. He also won the 2008 UCI ProTour for the second time. At the 2008 UCI Road World Championships, he earned another medal.

2009 Season Highlights

Valverde wearing the leader's jersey at the 2009 Vuelta a España

Valverde started 2009 well, winning two stages and the points and mountains classifications in the 2009 Vuelta a Castilla y León. He also won the Klasika Primavera and the 2009 Volta a Catalunya. He then won the 2009 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré.

On September 20, 2009, Valverde won the overall victory in the 2009 Vuelta a España. He did not win any stages, but his consistent performance in the mountains helped him keep the leader's jersey until the end.

2010 Season

Valverde did not compete in 2011.

2012 Season Highlights

Valverde at the 2012 Tour de France; he won the seventeenth stage of the race.

Valverde returned to racing in 2012 at the 2012 Tour Down Under, where he finished second overall and won a stage. He then won the 2012 Vuelta a Andalucía and a stage in 2012 Paris–Nice. In the 2012 Tour de France, he won Stage 17.

Valverde then competed in the 2012 Vuelta a España. His team won the first stage, a team time trial. He won Stage 3 and Stage 8. He finished second overall in the Vuelta. He also won the points and combination classification jerseys. At the 2012 UCI Road World Championships, he won a bronze medal.

2013 Season Highlights

Valverde, wearing the green jersey of points classification leader, at the 2013 Vuelta a España

In 2013, Valverde won the Vuelta a Andalucía again. He also had podium finishes in the 2013 Amstel Gold Race and 2013 Liège–Bastogne–Liège. In the 2013 Tour de France, he finished eighth overall.

At the 2013 Vuelta a España, he finished third overall, securing another podium finish in a Grand Tour. At the 2013 UCI Road World Championships, he took third place, earning another bronze medal.

2014 Season Highlights

Valverde (right) at the 2014 Tour de France

In the 2014 Tour de France, Valverde finished fourth overall. On August 2, 2014, he won the 2014 Clásica de San Sebastián for the second time. He finished third overall in the 2014 Vuelta a España. After the Vuelta, he signed a new contract with his team until 2017.

At the 2014 UCI Road World Championships, Valverde won his third consecutive bronze medal. He finished second at the 2014 Giro di Lombardia, which helped him become first in the 2014 UCI World Tour rankings.

2015 Season Highlights

Valverde on the podium after winning the 2015 Liège–Bastogne–Liège

Valverde won three stages in the 2015 Volta a Catalunya. He finished second overall in the race. At the 2015 Amstel Gold Race, he came in second. The following Wednesday, Valverde won 2015 La Flèche Wallonne for the third time, setting a new record.

Valverde at the 2015 Tour de France.

A few days later, he won 2015 Liège–Bastogne–Liège for the third time. This meant he won both races in the same year for the second time. In June, he won the Spanish National Road Race Championships. At the 2015 Tour de France, Valverde finished third, achieving a lifelong dream of a podium finish.

2016 Season Highlights

Valverde's main goals for 2016 were the Spring Classics, the 2016 Giro d'Italia, and the Olympic Games. He started by winning the 2016 Vuelta a Andalucía. He then won two stages and the overall title at the Vuelta a Castilla y León.

The following Wednesday, he won his fourth 2016 La Flèche Wallonne title, becoming the most successful rider in that race. Valverde competed in the 2016 Giro d'Italia for the first time. He won his first Giro stage and finished third overall, becoming one of only 16 cyclists to finish on the podium in all three Grand Tours.

Valverde at the 2016 Tour de France

Later that year, Valverde finished sixth in the 2016 Tour de France. A week later, he was third at the 2016 Clásica de San Sebastián. He finished 12th in the 2016 Vuelta a España. By completing the Vuelta, he became one of only 33 riders to finish all three Grand Tours in the same season.

2017 Season Highlights

In February 2017, Valverde won the 2017 Vuelta a Murcia. He then won the 2017 Vuelta a Andalucía for the fifth time, which was his 100th career victory. Valverde then dominated the 2017 Volta a Catalunya, winning three stages and the overall title.

At the 2017 Tour of the Basque Country, Valverde won a stage and the overall race. He won 2017 La Flèche Wallonne for the fourth year in a row and fifth time overall. A few days later, he won 2017 Liège–Bastogne–Liège for the fourth time.

Valverde during Stage 1 of the 2017 Tour de France, shortly before a crash which ended his involvement in the race and cut short his season.

Valverde crashed on the first stage of the 2017 Tour de France and had to leave the race. He broke his kneecap, which ended his 2017 season. He hoped to return strong in 2018.

2018 Season Highlights

Valverde winning the 2018 UCI Road World Championships – Men's road race

Valverde returned to racing in January 2018. He won a stage and the overall title at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. He also finished second in the 2018 Vuelta a Murcia. In February, Valverde won the 2018 Abu Dhabi Tour.

In March, Valverde finished fourth at the 2018 Strade Bianche. He then won the 2018 Volta a Catalunya for the third time, winning two stages. He also won the 2018 GP Miguel Induráin. He finished fifth at the 2018 Amstel Gold Race and second at 2018 La Flèche Wallonne.

After a break, he won the Route d'Occitanie stage race. He then rode the 2018 Tour de France to support his teammates. Valverde returned for the 2018 Vuelta a España, winning Stage 2 and Stage 8. He finished fifth overall and won the points classification for a record-equalling fourth time.

Valverde won the gold medal at the 2018 UCI Road World Championships in Innsbruck. He won in a sprint finish, becoming the second oldest Road World Champion ever. He called this his biggest victory, one he had chased for 15 years.

2019 Season Highlights

Valverde at the 2019 Tour de France

In 2019, Valverde finished second overall at the 2019 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and the 2019 Vuelta a Murcia. He won his first race as World Champion by winning a stage at the 2019 UAE Tour, where he finished second overall.

He rode the 2019 Tour of Flanders for the first time, finishing eighth. He won the Route d'Occitanie. On June 30, he won the Spanish National Road Race Championships for the third time. At the 2019 Tour de France, he finished ninth overall.

Valverde (left) on the podium at the 2019 Vuelta a Espana

At the 2019 Vuelta a España, Valverde won Stage 7. He finished second overall in the Vuelta. He also competed in the 2019 UCI Road World Championships. Towards the end of the season, he finished second at 2019 Il Lombardia.

2020 Season Highlights

In 2020, Valverde competed in six races before the racing season was paused. He finished second at the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana. After racing started again, Valverde competed in both the 2020 Tour de France and the 2020 Vuelta a España, finishing twelfth and tenth respectively. He finished eighth in the road race at the 2020 UCI Road World Championships.

2021 Season Highlights

In March 2021, Valverde finished fourth in the 2021 Volta a Catalunya. He then won his record-equalling third victory in the 2021 GP Miguel Induráin. He finished in the top five in all three Ardennes classics, including a third-place finish at 2021 La Flèche Wallonne.

At the 2021 Critérium du Dauphiné, Valverde won Stage 6, his first stage win there in thirteen years. He then competed in the 2021 Tour de France, finishing twenty-fourth. He also participated in the Tokyo Olympics, his fifth time at the Summer Games. He had to leave the 2021 Vuelta a España after a crash on Stage 7. His next race was the 2021 Giro di Sicilia, where he won a stage and finished second overall.

2022 Season Highlights

Valverde at the 2022 Giro d'Italia

In October 2021, Valverde announced that 2022 would be his last season as a professional road cyclist. At the Vuelta a Mallorca, he finished second in one race and won another. The next month, he won a stage, the overall title, and the points classification at the 2022 O Gran Camiño.

He finished second to Tadej Pogačar at 2022 Strade Bianche. He also finished second to Dylan Teuns at 2022 La Flèche Wallonne in April. He then rode the 2022 Giro d'Italia for the first time since 2016, finishing eleventh overall. After finishing thirteenth at his sixteenth and final 2022 Vuelta a España, Valverde ended his road racing career with several races in Italy. He finished second in the Coppa Ugo Agostoni and sixth in 2022 Il Lombardia.

Gravel Racing Career

In April 2023, it was announced that Valverde would come out of retirement to compete in gravel cycling. He joined the Movistar Team Gravel Squad. He won two events in the UCI Gravel World Series: La Indomable in Almería and the Ranxo Gravel in Ponts, Lleida. Valverde finished fourth at the 2023 World Gravel Championships.

Coaching Role

Since March 2025, Alejandro Valverde has been the coach of the men's Spanish national cycling team. He takes a very active approach to coaching, often riding with the athletes during their training sessions.

Career Achievements

Awards

Vélo d'Or: 2018