Alejandro Valverde switches to MTB and aims for Cape Epic 2024

After his exceptional performance at the World Gravel Championships 2023, where he finished fourth, this weekend we have seen Alejandro Valverde switch to mountain biking in a race in the Region of Murcia, something that could indicate that his next big goal will be on big wheels, as he said a few weeks ago. Has he already started his preparation for the Cape Epic 2024? Who will be his partner?

Alejandro Valverde could already be training for Cape Epic 2024

Alejandro Valverde is living 2023 as his first year retired from professional cycling, but his performance on the bike is far from what his current licence says. At the last World Gravel Championships he finished fourth surrounded by a cast of active road professionals and made it clear that although he has lowered the intensity and level of his training, his talent and ambition are still intact. Something that excites us when we sense his next goals on a mountain bike.

Last Sunday Valverde took part in the Locos por el Monte 2023, a MTB race in the Carrascoy Valley, in the Region of Murcia, where he performed well at the controls of his Canyon Lux World Cup. But regardless of his result, this participation could be the confirmation that he could already be preparing for the Cape Epic 2024, something he said a few weeks ago in an interview with Europa Press.

When asked about a possible participation in the next Cape Epic, which will be held in South Africa from 17 to 24 March, the Movistar rider replied: "It's a nice opportunity. It's a new experience. If it's too technical, I'm not going to win. Now I just have to find a partner. Winning or not, it doesn't matter to me".

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Mountain bike stage races such as the Cape Epic or the Titan Desert have historically been a breeding ground for road cyclists who want to enjoy or test their level in this discipline. The long and hard stages are perfect to exploit the performance of those who come from thin wheels and do not usually have very technical sections.

It remains to be seen who could be Valverde's partner for the Cape Epic 2024 and to see if the Spaniard adapts well to the conditions of this discipline, but with his performance it would be no surprise if he could win a stage in what is considered the 'Tour de France of mountain biking'.