Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, banned from racing in Italy, took overall victory in the Tour of Catalunya on Sunday.
The Caisse d’Epargne rider completed the week-long course with a 15-second advantage over runner-up Daniel Martin of Ireland. Third was Spain’s Haimar Zubeldia, 22 seconds back.
Valverde finished 19th in the final, 110-km stage won by New Zealand’s Greg Henderson after a bunch sprint to the finish on the Circuit de Catalunya motor racing track. Second was France’s Lloyd Mondory and third Italian Fabio Sabatini.
Valverde said the victory in Spain’s third biggest bike race was: “very important, particularly given the difficult times I’m going throughâ€.
“Winning and racing well acts as … Details