Vuelta a España winner Alejandro Valverde is currently preparing for his first-ever participation in the Santos Tour Down Under, and has been spending his time trying to get used to what are even higher temperatures than usual in Australia.
“The most difficult thing is to wake up every morning at 6:30 because of the weather. It is indeed so hot that we have to go out for training very early in the morning,” he said. “Until today when, with more or less 20 degrees Celsius less than the previous days, the average temperature was greater than 40 degrees; one day, the thermometer even indicated 49 degrees. I like hot weather but here it is really too much.”
The Spanish rider is feeling the heat Down Under. Today’s team communiqué didn’t indicate if he’s feeling the heat back in Europe; his appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against a two-year ban in Italy begins today in Lausanne and runs until Thursday.
Valverde is clearly focussing on what he can control, namely his training and his form for the first ProTour race of the season. He’s also had time to do some sightseeing due to those climatic conditions.
“Considering we leave so early for training, we are back in our hotel in Adelaide at noon. It gives us the possibility to discover the city and its surroundings after we have lunch. This is my first time in Australia and all is new for me. The other day we encountered a group of aboriginal people. This meeting impressed me so much that I tried to learn something more about their roots and culture. I see and learn new things every day. It is true that we had to spend many hours on the plane to arrive here, but they are worthwhile.”
The programme of racing will begin on Sunday with the Cancer Council Helpline Classic. The Santos Tour Down Under itself will run from Tuesday week until Sunday January 24th.