One of the riders that drew the biggest cheers in the Vuelta a España's sign-on in Cartagena Wednesday is not even racing any more, but as the most famous bike racer born in the area by a long shot, it's maybe no surprise that Alejandro Valverde remains enormously popular on his home soil.
A former teammate of Vuelta leader Enric Mas as well as being the Spanish national coach, Valverde is also a former Vuelta a España winner and followed Mas in the Movistar team car on Wednesday.
