Valverde Looks to Roll Into Madrid as Champion

Alejandro Valverde held firm in the time trial Stage 20 of the Vuelta a Espana and now he looks to have a celebratory ride into Madrid on Sunday. David Millar from England won the time trail, giving the Garmin Slipstream team their third win of the 2009 Vuelta.

Valverde is sure to win his first grand tour in his home country with the largely ceremonial stage tomorrow.

“I feel like I have been liberated because I have won this race without having the single bad day most riders get in a big Tour,” Valverde said.

“It’s been a very tough Tour of Spain to win with more than 5,000 metres of climbing in one single stage and up to 10 days of continuous racing with no rest days.

“So I’ve played a defensive game, not doing any major attacks, and that’s been the key to my success.”

With Alberto Contador taking the Tour de France, this has been quite a year in cycling for Spain.