Valverde: An outrage that could lead to tragedy, but remains a concern

It was Saturday morning like every other. Alejandro Valverde from Murcia, a world-famous cyclist, stayed behind to prepare for the Vuelta Ciclista a Espana. He wanted to enjoy the sport that he loves most: riding a bike. It was a calm morning with clear skies and sun. Four cyclists started from Los Ramos and continued along the RM-560 that connects Javali Nuevo to Alcantarilla. A vehicle appeared behind them at the La Puebla de Soto bridge. It seemed to be in a hurry, and it passed them very quickly.

After the incident, Valverde and his friends made the driver look bad at the wheel, reminding him of the dangers of such a dangerous maneuver. This 69-year-old resident of La Alberca slammed the brakes, and when they passed him, accelerated to run over the rest of the group, Alejandro Valverde and Pedro Moya, an avid cyclist who often accompanies him during his training sessions. He later ran away. Before fleeing, a motorist took a photograph of the car's license plate. The driver confessed to the crime at La Alberca police station hours later. He realized the gravity of the situation and decided to go home.

The 2018 world champion was taken to the Virgen De la Arrixaca hospital, unaware of the severity of the accident. After hours passed, his club Valverde Team and the team he ran for (Movistar Team), reassured friends and fans that El Bala was safe and sound.

The hospital and the corridor environment assured him that he would be monitored for 24 hours. They also confirmed that all previous tests had been successful and that there were no injuries. Both the scan and MRIs were positive and there is no internal bleeding. The hospital's medical staff performed more tests and determined that Valverde could return home. After seeing the progress of the cyclist, they released Valverde.

RM-560 Road that links Alcantarilla to the Murcian district in Javali Viejo. This is where Alejandro Valverde, a cyclist, was run over. / ef

The Murcian runner posted a photo to his social networks, thanking him for his support. Instagram. The Murcian cyclist is currently recovering at home and has his sights set on the Tour of Spain which starts in Utrecht (Holland) on August 19. He has 48 days to heal from his scare and get back on the bicycle to prepare for the final big sporting event of his career.

This should prompt us to rethink the issues that cyclists and motorists face when sharing the road. A dangerous and violent attitude, such as the one shown yesterday, is unacceptable. Alejandro Valverde and his "group" have caused a scare, and superficial injuries, that will soon be history. Problem is when a driver like the one who hit Alejandro Valverde's car almost every day on Spanish roads, it becomes a daily occurrence.

If Alejandro Valverde is found guilty of running over him, he could be sentenced to between two and four year imprisonment. This follows the harsher punishments for drivers who hit and run pedestrians or cyclists in February 2019.

On Saturday, the audio of Alejandro Valverde explaining the accident to one of his cyclists was viralized on social media. They were 20 minutes ahead of me. Valverde and El Barbas, his friend [Pedro Moya] were taken away. "Explained the amateur cyclist, the guy braked dry and cleaned them. "Valverde has split his bike in two. Problem is, a car passes the "group" and people insult him. He hits the brakes. The row to the left is passed by one side, and the row to the right by the hard shoulder. He speeds up and sprints over Pedro and Valverde, who rise in the air. Then he flees. This is not a hit. It's worse than a hit and run. After speaking to a witness, he said that he had gone for them.