At 43 years old, Alejandro Valverde wins UCI Gravel Series race La Indomable

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) has once again defied the limits of ageing in athletic ability by taking a dominant solo win at La Indomable, part of the UCI Gravel Series.

The Spanish rider continues to race for Movistar despite his official retirement in 2022. Forming part of the Movistar Gravel Squad, Valverde entered La Indomable as a favourite after winning the race in 2023.

The gravel race, which also has a mountain bike field, takes in 96km of distance and 2,400m of elevation in Berja in the Almeria province. The race was set to host a total of 1,085 riders, but like other international gravel events sees a world-class field at the front of the race competing for the top places in the UCI event.

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Valverde had competition from former Belgian WorldTour rider and Tour de France yellow-jersey holder Jan Bakelants alongside Spanish mountain bike marathon champion Sergio Mantecon and three time winner of The Traka 360, Mattia de Marchi.

However, it was French rider Hugo Drechou (Groove Gravel) who took second place, ahead of Portuguese Tiago Ferreira (Vouzela BH).

In the women's field, Karolina Migoń (Pas Racing) took the overall win ahead of 2023 Unbound winner Carolin Schiff. Migoń's teammate Klara Sofie Skovgaard Hansen rounded out the podium in third place.

"First win of the season in Pas Racing colors. So happy to be around such talented and ambitious athletes and to share the podium with Klara Sofie Skovgaard Hansen today," said Migoń in an Instagram post.

Movistar’s Gravel Squad was newly announced for the 2023 season, and the initial roster included former Movistar road rider Ivan García Cortina alongside British rider Hayley Simmonds, who came eighth in the elite women's category at La Indomable, and Spain’s Ana Dillana.

Valverde had broken his collarbone in a training incident in January. However, neither the recovery nor his advanced years in athletic terms seemed to affect his strength in the gravel race, as he broke clear of his gravel rivals in the final 30km to ride to a solo victory.