Daily Headlines: Valverde won’t take part to Tour of Flanders | Bahrain-Merida aims to Van Avermaet and Van Aert

Alejandro Valverde won’t participate to Tour of Flanders

Alejandro Valverde won’t take part to the 2018 Tour of Flanders. The Spaniard changed his mind and, despite he left a possibility open for his participation to the Ronde, he got back home in Spain. Instead of the most prestigious Flemish one day race the Movistar leader will take part on Saturday 31, March to the GP Indurain before approacing the Tour of Basque Country.

Bahrain-Merida aims to line up Van Avermaet and Van Aert as from 2019

Bahrain – Merida keeps alluring Greg van Avermaet and Wout van Aert with a deal for the next seasons. The Arabian Gulf’s team is looking for top-tier leaders for the spring classics: BMC Racing rider has a rich classic pedigree and the nebulous future of the American team may work in favour of Bahrain-Merida’s interest, as confirmed by Het Laatste Nieuws; Cyclo-Cross World Champion has shown he’s capable of great skills also on tarmacked road races but his deal with Veranda’s Willems – Crelan expires at the end of 2019. In addiction to the Olympic Champion and to Van Aert, the team managed by Brent Copeland is also looking to sign with Dylan Theuns (BMC Racing).