Valverde wins Spanish time trial title

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The Movistar team swept not just the podium, but the top six places in the Spanish national championship time trial, with Alejandro Valverde claiming his first time trial national title over Ion Izagirre and Jonathan Castroviejo.

Valverde clocked a 58:00 on the 47.1km course, topping Izagirre by nearly a minute. Castroviejo was eight seconds further back, just edging out Jesus Herrada for the final podium spot.

"I'm surprised at this victory," Valverde said. The 34-year-old just returned from his post-Classics break at the Route du Sud, where he finished second overall, but was not expecting to be the best of his country. "We know that Ion does good time trials, and Castro is a great 'croner' and demonstrates it every day. We also have other rivals such as Eloy Teruel and Luis Sánchez León who prepared specifically for this time trial.

"I went well in La Route du Sud after two months without competing, and I think that this effort has given me a good starting point for the Tour de France. To win a time trial of 47km here gives me a lot confidence for July."

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