Valverde's racing equation

Alejandro Valverde has started 2009 with a reduced racing programme, something he hopes will pays dividends in July. The Vuelta a Castilla y León is his next event, and despite the lack of racing the Spaniard feels he's on track towards a successful Tour de France.

"As of now I only took part in two stages of the Challenge of Mallorca, the two stages of Tour du Haut Var and the Clásica of Almería, but in spite of that I feel pretty well and I believe that my level is rather good," Valverde explained.

He admitted that the racing in Castilla y León will be competitive and he will have to get used to the high race rhythm. "I don't believe I have to be afraid, but of course I have a lot of respect for those riders because I can see which level some of them have already reached and it is obvious that I am still behind that a little bit."

Valverde, who will undoubtedly be a protagonist in the Ardennes Classics, won't be eyeing the overall in the Castilian region, instead he'll just try to adapt to the race pace. "But if I feel well then why not try and win a stage?"

Time trialing will be a focus for the Caisse d'Epargne rider ahead of the Tour de France, something vital to making the podium in late July. "I have shown last year, in the Dauphiné Libéré for example, that I am even able to win a 30-35-kilometre long time trial. On the other hand I still have to improve on the time trials that are longer than 50km."

His main goal remains the Tour de France and he won't be changing his programme after Castilla y León. "I'll do the Grand Prix Miguel Indurain in Estella, the Clásica Primavera in Amorebieta, Paris-Camembert, the Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. After that, in May I will be in the Tour of Catalunya and in June in the Dauphiné Libéré before defending my title in the Spanish road championship."

Castilla y León will give him a chance to meet Lance Armstrong in competition for the first time this season. "That's really great – I am delighted. It will be a very special moment. I also think that his presence in the race will attract many journalists to the event."