Valverde rules out 2017 comeback

Alejandro Valverde has ruled out returning to racing before the end of the 2017 season, arguing that it's not worth risking a setback in his recovery from injury.

The Spaniard hasn't raced since the first day of July when he crashed out of the Tour de France on the opening-day time trial. He fractured his kneecap and talus bone when he slid across the road and into the barriers, and he remained in Germany for a week to undergo surgery.

Valverde's rehabilitation progressed quicker than expected in the early stages and, after getting the all-clear to start riding his bike again in the second half of August, there was talk of him returning to competition at the all-new Tour of Guangxi in China in the second half of October.

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However, the 37-year-old, speaking at the unveiling of a new Movistar kit and women's team on Monday, confirmed that his comeback will have to wait until 2018.

"From the first moment I knew it was serious. Luckily, I was able to be operated on in Germany very quickly, and the post-op went perfectly," he said.

"It's true that I thought about returning in China, but I quickly spoke about it with the team and we decided to stop. It's six days, a beating. There was no need to risk anything."

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