Valverde 'really surprised to continue doing well' at age 41

ANDRATX SPAIN JANUARY 29 LR Brandon Mcnulty of United States and UAE Team Emirates and Alejandro Valverde Belmonte of Spain and Movistar Team compete in the breakaway during the 31st Challenge Ciclista Mallorca 2022 Trofeo Pollena Port d Andratx a 170 km race from Pollena to Andratx 214m ChallengeMallorca on January 29 2022 in Andratx Spain Photo by Dario BelingheriGetty Images
Alejandro Valverde fighting with Brandon McNulty at the Trofeo Pollença-Port d'Andratx (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Following his first victory of the 2022 season at the Challenge Mallorca, Alejandro Valverde has said that he's surprised to still be winning at the age of 41 at the start of what will be his final season in the professional peloton.

Valverde turned pro two decades ago in the 2002 season for Kelme and has won a race in every year of his career barring his neo-pro season, the 2011 season when he was banned for doping, and 2020.

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Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.