Absolute dedication is the grail in professional sport.
Above any competition achievement, athletes value effort and constant dedication.
Receiving the respect of your peers for a life dedicated to discipline, saying goodbye recognized as an example of perseverance, is the greatest compliment an elite competitor aspires to.
In Spanish sport, few figures embody this feeling like Alejandro Valverde.
His name has been synonymous with presence in the peloton, with talent pushed to the limit in search of goals.
The withdrawal of the Murcian leaves cycling somewhat orphaned, but it also underlines a key value in the sport: they will love you for your victories as much as for your values.
At 42 years old, old enough to have almost forgotten the bicycle, Alejandro has emptied himself to the last meter.
The images of his farewell, hesitating whether to put his foot down to see himself still among the best, perfectly describes the figure of an athlete difficult to emulate.
A true example of persistence, a mirror of attitude for the youngest.
With a monumental record, crowned with appearances on the podium of the three Grand Tours and countless victories in classic events, Alejandro has never allowed his record to satisfy his hunger for competition.
His last four races - finished in second, third, fourth and sixth place - always on the verge of victories, are the best of a spirit full of sacrifice.
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Alejandro Valverde: a genius says goodbye
The Spanish cyclist with the most medals in the history of the world championships, with more than twenty years of racing behind him, has left without looking at the clock or rushing the starting time.
He determined to complete his work with the enthusiasm of a beginner.
Always with a smile on his face, accustomed to conveying kindness to everyone, his legacy transcends the results achieved on the road.
One of the most skilled runners for short tests, those that reward tactical ability, expressiveness and intelligence in the peloton, made a unique cyclist stand out.
Whenever there was a competition of this profile, on any type of route, the feeling was special around Alejandro.
That precise runner talent, as calculating as aware of his strength, made him one of the most admired by the fans.
That is one of the great legacies that he leaves in his wake, one of the greatest merits that an athlete can leave in society.
Valverde has created a hobby with a special way of competing.
Maybe he wasn't the fastest, maybe others had more verve when it came to putting together an attack, but his ability to read the races has always kept him among the biggest names in the bunch.
Awarded the gold medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit in 2014, eight years before his retirement, a world in professional competition, Valverde entered the history of Spanish sport with a long way to go.
That ability to keep his name high on a global level is one of the main legacies he leaves us.
The announcement of his goodbye leaves a certain sadness among bicycle lovers.
One of those faithful companions with whom they have grown up leaves, one more in our homes year after year, transmitting an absolute closeness.
He sure had the desire and strength to look for new challenges, but he has had the privilege of choosing the moment of his retirement.
Something that not all athletes achieve.
It remains for us to thank him for his maturity, his passion and the great example he leaves us.
Hopefully we can continue to see him linked to this sport.
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