Humble, human, fixed, disciplined and considerably shy. This is how his countrymen outline David Valero. The bike owner from Baza (Granada), present number one within the Olympic cross nation modality, continues so as to add successes and, this Friday, he gained the NEOM Titan Desert in Saudi Arabia. Despite this, they emphasize, “you discover him on the road and he is identical as a number of years in the past when he was not within the elite.”
The “tall and thin” boy, who has put the identify of Baza on the world map of biking, started working within the fields, when he was only a boy. “He is aware of what it’s prefer to stand up at 6 within the morning to earn a residing,” Antonio Vallejo, Councilor for Sports and Youth of the Baza City Council, informed NIUS.
It is in his hometown, the place he lives along with his household, and provides his identify to a avenue, a circuit and a biking faculty the place greater than 100 youngsters fulfill their dream. “They do not wish to be Ronaldo or Messi, however Valero. That may be very good, ”acknowledges the mayor.
From assistant in a workshop to Olympic medalist
His first races on the bike have been clandestine. “He ran away to run and did not say something,” Vallejo tells us. His relationship with the bike started in a restore store the place he additionally labored for some time. Who would then inform that mechanical assistant that these greasy palms would find yourself lifting trophies on the again of a bicycle.
Much of his coaching is completed on his land, within the Sierra de Baza Natural Park, with 14 peaks over 2,000 meters. “Valero’s greatest saved secret is his surroundings,” says the councilor who advocates selling Baza as a coaching vacation spot for cyclists.
The bike owner from Granada has not had it simple within the Titan Desert. A fall within the first kilometers compelled him to make up time with the main group, however afterwards he managed to set a tempo that solely Julen Zubero may observe. Both crossed the end line collectively, seven minutes behind their pursuers. “Look, I’ve been to many locations, however right here the environment is second to none. I preferred it so much, I had a good time and I hope to return in different editions”, Valero stated.