Alejandro Valverde has reinforced his desire to continue his career beyond 2021.

The Spaniard, who turned 40 in April, had set the end of 2021 as his retirement date when he signed a two-year contract extension with Movistar (open in new tab) last year. However, despite his insistence in February that it would be "no more than that," a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have changed his mind.

At a press conference at the Spanish national team training camp on Monday, Valverde was asked about extending his career beyond 2021.

"Yes, it's something I've been thinking about for a long time and I think it's very possible.

"We are working on the idea of finishing this year, doing the next year, and then re-evaluating. That's what we have in mind. He feels he can contribute more to cycling

"I'm hungry and motivated. I'm 40, but in my head I'm very young."

Valverde's teammates at the training camp in Altea attest to this. National coach Pascual Montparrell hopes to combine the experience of Valverde, whom he describes as a "lighthouse," with the next generation of players.

"Training with Valverde is brutal," says 24-year-old Fernando Barceló. 'Valverde has dropped us four or five times, so I think age is just a number to him.'

"I know you are asking about his age, but it seems crazy. I think we will see Valverde for a while yet."

Valverde had planned to target the Olympic road race this summer on a hilly course in Tokyo, but the event was postponed to 2021.

This year, he will compete in the Tour de France with Movistar newcomer Enric Mas before leading Spain in the world championships on a hilly course in Switzerland.

The world championships are the reason for the national camp in Altea, and Montparrère named Valverde "the only rider certain to compete." Mas and Mikel Landa were also strong candidates to lead the team, but did not attend the camp.

"Valverde is "a big target for this year.

"Some of my teammates fit the bill. Monparell has to decide and there could be more than one card available. But I believe I can fight for it."

Valverde described the Tour de France, where he shares responsibility with Mass, as the perfect preparation for the world championships, as it ends on September 20, a week before the road race.

He will aim to be in top shape there and decide later whether to target Liège-Bastogne-Liège on October 4 or rest up for the Vuelta a España later that month.

"We are always at the top of the Vuelta, but this year will be very different. 'It will be colder this time and I think it will be a more complicated race for me. My idea is to start, but we'll see what purpose it serves."