Madrid, Dec. 15 (IANS): Movistar's Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde said winning the 2018 UCI Road World Championships Innsbruck is a big goal and it could be his last chance to clinch the title.
The 38-year-old Valverde made these remarks after Movistar presented its 2018 team, which included Spaniard Mikel Landa, who joins the team from Team Sky and Colombian climber Nairo Quintana, reports Efe.
"I think that the World Championships is a great goal. It is at the end of the season, and the left knee injury could be forgotten (so) I will compete strongly" Valverde said.
Valverde broke his kneecap during the 2017 Tour de France.
"I have talked with Javier Minguez (national team coach) and I think we can we can do things properly because it could be the last opportunity (for Minguez)," Valverde added.
The 2018 UCI Road World Championships Innsbruck is scheduled for September 22-30 in Innsbruck-Tirol, Austria.
Landa, meanwhile, said winning Tour de France was his target for the next season, after he had to settle for the fourth spot, just one second off the podium.
"Before, the goal was Giro (d'Italia), but now it became the Tour. After last year, when I was fourth, one second behind the third... now I see it as my race. I am motivated to come back," Landa said.
