Alejandro Valverde is a top candidate for the position of men’s national team road coach at the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation. According to a report in AS, the current coach Pascual Momparler is expected to take on a new role within the federation.
Valverde retired from professional road racing two years ago after a successful career spanning two decades, with 133 race wins, including the road race world title in 2018, and 348 podium finishes.
He has since transitioned to gravel racing, winning several UCI Gravel World Series events, including La Indomable twice, and placing fourth overall at the 2023 UCI Gravel World Championships. His contract with Movistar, where he serves as an ambassador, is ending soon, and it is uncertain if it will be renewed.
Despite a controversial past due to his involvement in the Operacion Puerto blood doping scandal, of which he denies being involved, Valverde served a two-year ban from 2009-2011.
The Royal Spanish Cycling Federation recently appointed a new President, José Vicioso, who has taken over from José Luis López Cerrón. Vicioso has plans to make changes within the federation, including hiring new road coaches for the men’s and women’s national teams. Gema Pascual, the current women’s national team road coach, intends to stay in her role.
AS has reported that the official announcements regarding the coaching roles are expected by the end of December.
