Valverde receives Telefónica’s appreciation in Madrid
01 October 2018

Tribute day after Worlds victory

Spaniard from Movistar Team given warm welcome by fans, media at Madrid Airport before presenting rainbow jersey to company's employees and CEO José María Álvarez-Pallete.

Alejandro Valverde has enjoyed a well-deserved day of appreciation from both fans, media and sponsors as he returned to España, following his brilliant victory at Sunday’s road race of the 2018 World Championships in Innsbruck (Austria).

Landed just before 1pm in Madrid following a long journey from the Tirol, which started early in the morning with a road transfer to Munich, the Spaniard from the Movistar Team was received at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport by nearly hundred fans and about twenty different media outlets, who briefly spoke with the new rainbow jersey holder before travelling to the Las Tablas neighbourhood in north Madrid.

At the headquarters of the team’s main sponsor, the Distrito Telefónica, Valverde and members of the expedition supporting him at the Worlds -including Spanish national team coach Javier Mínguez- had lunch with senior members of the management team, most notably CEO José María Álvarez-Pallete, who received one of the two signed jerseys Valverde offered at the building. The second one is now part of the ‘Sports Museum’ at the company’s Central Building.

standing ovation lasting more than two minutes, offered by several Telefónica employees, notable cycling legends such as Pedro Delgado and all media present, was followed by the main event, in turn continued one hour later -around 4.30pm- by a reception in the Spanish Sports Council.

The Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, José Guirao, and CSD director María José Rienda joined Valverde and Sunday’s two other World Champions: youngsters Jorge Prado (Motocross, MX2) and Ana Carrasco (Superbikes, SSP300). A beautiful way to end a day of praise for the #BalaArcoíris.