Valverde: I'm a free agent at the Vuelta a Espana

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) was one of the better-placed top names on the opening time trial at the Vuelta a España, finishing 16th, 24 seconds down.

Alasdair Fotheringham

Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews, he has also written for The IndependentThe GuardianProCycling, The Express and Reuters.