Okay, maybe he didn’t exactly say that, but Alejandro Valverde has confirmed that he will be taking a back seat to no man. In an exclusive interview with Spanish newspaper AS (and reported by CyclingNews), Valverde said that he will continue to target the Tour de France podium and the rainbow jersey until he retires.

They are the two main objectives, I will go on hunting for them until I retire.

What does that mean for Movistar teammate Nairo Quintana, who is targeting the Tour this year?

At the Tour, I will be there 100 per cent for Nairo, accompany him to the end and stick together to have an advantage over our rivals.

Valverde’s contract runs until 2017. Gauntlet officially thrown down.

Header image: 2014 World Championships, ©Wei Yuet Wong