Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) joins his teammates on a lap of the GP circuit that will play host to the Vuelta prologue
(Image credit: Sirotti)
Basso and Valverde wait for the climb before pulling off the gloves.
(Image credit: Lavuelta.com)
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) sprints to the line
(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) crosses the line ahead of David de la Fuente (Fuji-Servetto), Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto), Robert Gesink (Rabobank) and Ivan Basso (Liquigas)
(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) turns to inspect the damage of his final sprint
(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) is congratulated on the podium by Abraham Olano
(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) accepts the gold jersey
(Image credit: Sirotti)
Joaquin Rodriguez (Caisse d'Epargne) does his loyal duty for Alejandro Valverde as they absorb almost all of the early breakaway
(Image credit: Sirotti)
Joaquin Rodriguez leads his Caisse d'Epargne captain Alejandro Valverde on the slopes of the Xorret del Cati
(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) leads Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) and Ivan Basso (Liquigas)
(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) with his twin boys in his hometown of Murcia, Spain
(Image credit: Sirotti)
Spaniard Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) remains race leader, his second day at the 2009 Vuelta a España, 11th career.
(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) has some space to himself on the descent
(Image credit: Sirotti)
The Vuelta is perhaps the biggest thorn in the side of Alejandro Valverde's career. Four top-five finishes out of four Vuelta participations; a formidable record that he was determined to improve upon at the start of this year's race.
Absence from the Tour de France in July may equate to a big advantage as a well prepared, highly motivated Valverde lined up in Assen on the final Saturday in August. His proven track record at his home Grand Tour requires just one final boost. His performance and these images will tell the tale.
Click here for an image gallery of Alejandro Valverde's Vuelta a España.
