Valverde extends Movistar stay
Former Vuelta a Espana winner Alejandro Valverde is set to stay at Movistar.
Alejandro Valverde has signed a two-year contract extension with Movistar, tying him to the team until 2019.
The veteran Spaniard's deal has been due to expire in 2017 but he is now likely to retire at Movistar, having joined the team in 2005.
Movistar confirmed his contract extension in a statement on their website on Thursday, while Valverde expressed his satisfaction at agreeing the deal in a post on Twitter.
"It's official," he wrote.
"Very happy [for] three more seasons with my family @Movistar_Team. At least until 2019."
The 36-year-old won the 2009 Vuelta a Espana and has four Tour de France stage victories to his name.
He made his Giro d'Italia debut this year, winning the 16th stage and finishing third overall.
Valverde finished sixth in this year's Tour, helping Movistar to win the team classification.