![\"CianUijtdebroeksMovistarPresentation\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/cianuijtdebroeksmovistarpresentation-693b2923660d8.jpg@webp.webp\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
He also never expected such a long career. Naturally, he admits that around the age of 27 or 28 he thought retirement would come soon. \u201cBy 33 or 34 I would already be retired,\u201d he used to tell himself, but reality was very different: world champion at 38 and final retirement at 41. \u201cI did not expect such a long career,\u201d he sums up.<\/p>\n
Retirement and a new routine<\/p>\n
The pandemic did not significantly alter the timing of his farewell, although he did have one clear wish: to say goodbye in front of fans, something he was ultimately able to do. Today, his daily life has changed completely. Valverde enjoys a much more family centred life, spending more time at home. \u201cThe family is big and it is a pleasure to be with them,\u201d he explains. He still trains in the mornings, but his afternoons are fully dedicated to his children.<\/p>\n
At home, sport has always been a fundamental pillar. \u201cThe only thing I wanted was for my children to play sport. I did not care whether it was cycling, football, basketball or anything else,\u201d he says. For him, what matters are values and freedom of choice, without pressure. His children have opted for football, and one of them, Alejandro, is progressing through the Real Murcia Promises academy in the Divisi\u00f3n de Honor youth league, after previously being at Levante.<\/p>\n
His new role as national coach has opened up a completely different scenario. Valverde admits it is \u201cvery different from being a rider\u201d and that in this first year there are decisions he would now take differently. Even so, he is satisfied with the work done. Although medals did not arrive, he highlights the team\u2019s performances and reminds that \u201cbeing in the top ten at a World Championship or a European Championship is already difficult\u201d.<\/p>\n
The role excites him particularly because of the riders\u2019 attitude. \u201cThe lads give everything and there was a lot of team spirit,\u201d he underlines. While as a rider he only thought about competing, once he stopped racing the idea of directing from the team car genuinely began to appeal to him.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Can Cian Uijtdebroeks prove a key Grand Tour signing for Movistar?<\/p>\n
Modern cycling and Movistar Team<\/p>\n
Valverde looks at modern cycling with an experienced eye. He believes the sport has evolved towards much more complete rider profiles. \u201cBefore there were more specialists. The sprinter was a sprinter, the climber a climber. Now riders are complete in everything and that is good,\u201d he reflects, noting that he himself was already performing from January to October, something that has now become the norm.<\/p>\n