Former world champion Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) has listed challenging for the rainbow jersey again this fall, following the Tour de France, as one of his top priorities in the revised 2020 calendar.

Like the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the cycling calendar depends on a favorable scenario continuing over the next few weeks and months. [Valverde likened the current 2020 positioning of the UCI Road World Championships, held a week after the Tour de France, to the Clasica San Sebastian, held on the first Saturday after the Tour.

"Usually I come back from the Tour in very good form, ease up a bit, take a little walk, and then head to San Sebastian.

"But this time, I'm going for the World Championships."

After finishing ninth in the Tour de France and tenth in San Sebastian last year, Valverde won Spain's biggest one-day classic in 2008 and 2014 and the world championship in 2018.

Valverde had originally hoped to compete in the Olympics, but the cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics led to rumors that he would abandon the Tour midway through the race. Instead, he plans to ride the Tour to Paris.

"My goal this year was to ride the Tour with Tokyo in mind, but now that there are no Olympics, that will also work for the World Championships. Preparing for the Tour in this way kills two birds with one stone," Valverde said.

At the same press conference, team manager Eusebio Unzué confirmed that Valverde and Enric Mas will co-lead Movistar in the Vuelta a España and Tour de France. He also said that Marc Soler will lead Movistar in the Giro d'Italia, the first Grand Tour of his career.

Valverde will also take part in Liège-Bastogne-Liège (a monument he has won four times). However, Valverde noted, "With such a packed calendar, it will be tough to compete any further."

Valverde, who spent most of his Spanish suspension at his home in Murcia, said that this year was completely different.

"At first it was as usual," Valverde said, "but who knows how the body will react after such a long period without a race.

On the plus side, Valverde said he was in his usual form for this time of year. He said, "It's always great to go out in the summer with good weather and a dry-wear kit, it's not like December, it's just like any other time." [But who knows if there will be moments of weakness early, mid, or late in the Tour. What is clear is that everyone is motivated, whether it is the domestique or the team leader"

.

Regarding rumors that Chris Froome (Ineos) could join Movistar in a mid-season transfer, Valverde said that a player like Froome would be very welcome, but it is unlikely to happen.

"All of us in the cycling world knew it would be very difficult for it to happen. It ended up being anecdotal."

He said.

He was similarly humorous but not positive about racing with Nairo Quintana, his teammate for eight seasons before signing with Arkea Samsic. It's] an honor, and each of us fights for our own chance."

Not hypothetical or previous about Movistar's current lineup, Untzwe also confirmed that the three leaders will participate in the first race after the team lockdown, the four-day Vuelta a Burgos in Spain beginning July 28. [Valverde and Mas will wait for the start of the Tour de France in Nice at the end of August.

The teams, which are divided into three groups, aim to race a total of 120 days in 2020, 98 of which will be at the World Tour level, Unzue said.

"When the lockdown started, it felt very strange at first, like I was 30 years old again," Valverde said.

As for whether Valverde will continue racing after his retirement in 2021, the veteran Spaniard said he is "not sure yet" given the events of 2020. But he did not rule out the idea.

"Ask Eusebio if he wants to sign me longer." Valverde grinned. 'Valverde grinned and said. [but I have another year on contract, until the end of 2021, so let's get through this year and see what happens next."