Alejandro Valverde is one of the most consistent riders on the circuit, having been the number one ranked World Tour rider in 2006, 2008 and 2014. Despite being the elder statesman of the Spanish Movistar team, the 34-year-old is one of the most exciting racers in the peloton.
The Movistar team is sponsored by German direct-sell giant Canyon, so Valverde gets to ride the spectacularly good Canyon Aeroad CF SLX. Check it out in the video below.
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The Canyon Aeroad CF SLX is a bike that’s been widely praised for its staggering speed and refusal to relinquish stiffness on the climbs. Valverde’s model is accented with team colours throughout – a streak of green running down the corners of the narrow top tube.
The whole frame has been honed to create the most aerodynamic ride possible. It’s thin, smooth and sleek. Valverde's top-ranking seasons are immortalised on the side of the top tube.
The carbon Campagnolo Super Record EPS groupset takes care of shifting with a satisfying whirr – and looks gorgeous while doing so. The frame and fork require direct mount brakes, so it’s a pair of Shimano Dura-Ace stoppers here – with the logos filed off.
Canyon’s one-piece bar and stem combo is absent, with Valverde opting for the brand’s square-edge, super stiff V13 stem and H16 ‘aero’ bars. These are slammed as low as possible, creating a considerable drop from the Fizik Antares saddle to the cockpit.
Valverde uses an out-front Garmin mount while all the cables are exceptionally tidy in their presentation. The Movistar mechanics were no doubt seeking to eke out a slight aero advantage for the star rider.
Campagnolo’s Bora Ultra 50 deep section carbon tubulars are the wheelset of choice here and come complete with green decals and matching hub detailing. The wheels are wrapped with Continental’s pro-exclusive tubs, the aptly named Competition Pro Ltd.
The green theme continues on the crankset – a Campagnolo Super Record model with Power2Max power meter and green anodised spider. Valverde chooses Look Keo Blade 2 pedals.
Two Elite Cannibal bottle cages allow plenty of fluid on board and are designed for easy sideways bottle insertion – naturally, these have a green colour scheme too.
Check out more Pro Bike features here.
Complete bike specifications
- Frameset: Canyon Aeroad
- Stem: Canyon V13
- Handlebars: Canyon H16
- Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace
- Shift/brake levers: Campagnolo Super Record EPS
- Front derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record EPS
- Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record EPS
- Crankset: Campagnolo Super Record with Power2Max power meter
- Wheels: Campagnolo Bora Ultra tubs
- Tyres: Continental Competition Pro Ltd
- Saddle: Fizik Antares
- Seat post: Canyon Aeroad
- Bottle cage: Elite Cannibal
- Other accessories: Garmin mount