It's almost over. Twenty years after starting the Vuelta a España for the first time, and entering his third year as a professional rider, Alejandro Valverde will roll down the start ramp in his last Grand Tour on Friday evening.

There is a certain sense of closure to the Vuelta starting in the Netherlands, as it is the same race start point where the Movistar leader won his one and only (and so far only) Grand Tour. Add to that six podiums (the most recent in 2019, the oldest in 2003) and 12 stage wins, and it is safe to say that the Vuelta has defined Valverde as a stage racer and, at times, a Vuelta icon.

A pragmatist, Valverde denied that he would win the overall in his last Grand Tour, saying, "Avoid crashing, stay healthy and help the team, because that is the only way to win.

He also had motivational words for teammate Enric Mas, last year's Vuelta runner-up, who is back in the race. However, Mas, who has been mentally "blocked" by downhill problems caused by repeated crashes, was cautious about trying the GC again during Movistar's pre-race press conference.

"We talked a lot, but I didn't want to go into too much detail and open wounds. Valverde said, "He has form and class. [There are] difficult moments in life and in sport. The Vuelta is a very different race from the Tour.

Valverde also contradicted team manager Eusebio Unzué. He told a Spanish newspaper after the Tour that Mas was not mature enough to be a leader. Valverde added, "Maybe the pressure was a little bit on him, being the sole leader in his first Grand Tour."

Not surprisingly, the Vuelta is Valverde's favorite Grand Tour, and his main goal is to enjoy the last three weeks of racing.

As such, he is determined that distractions such as Movistar's ongoing battle to earn enough UCI points to remain in the World Tour should not affect his racing or the team's overall strategic approach in the Vuelta.

"There is a points system that determines relegation and we cannot ignore that. But we must concentrate on the sporting level and forget about everything else."

"The system is not balanced. Many points are given for small races that no one has ever heard of, and vice versa for big races. But hopefully we can get past that and focus on the race."

While the ongoing relegation battle is causing great anxiety among the teams, Valverde said that whatever the outcome of the Vuelta is for him personally, even if it is great, the wheels will come off at the end of the year.

"The first half of the season went very well, but in the second half I had some bad luck and things didn't go my way," Valverde said, noting that he was the victim of a hit-and-run while training this summer, as well as suffering from bronchitis.

"In this Vuelta I want to do as well as possible and enjoy the support of the people. Everything has a beginning and an end. It doesn't depend on my results here."

Regarding the possibility of a GC challenge, Valverde stated categorically, "I would rule it out. I'm not in bad shape, but it's hard to stay with the leaders for 21 days. Some of my teammates are in the top 3 and could win the championship.

"So we have to focus on that and help him 100%. Even if I myself could be in contention for the stage win. But it's the only way."

Valverde recalled that when he last competed in the Vuelta in the Netherlands in 2009, it was the beginning of one successful run to a Grand Tour victory. Thirteen years later, however, if Valverde was "98 percent sure," he would no longer win. He said he told his teammate and roommate Mas that he should at least aim for the GC.

Mas himself was not so convinced, saying simply at the same press conference, "I'm doing a 'reset' since quitting the Tour, but it's not perfect yet. Needless to say, there was a time when he was unsure whether or not to compete in the Vuelta.

"I had a week of rest and three training sessions, and from Monday I will be in the Netherlands. I want to take it one day at a time," he insisted."

However, he warned that "I still have a long way to go to be the same Enric I was before," and he has been working under the radar, seeking expert advice on how best to deal with his mental problems. However, his participation in the Vuelta did not put pressure on him, despite Movistar's ongoing points problems.

"It's my home race and always where I feel most comfortable. Hopefully something will go right and I'll feel confident in myself again."

He also said that he was "very happy with the way things are going and I'm very proud of myself.

Meanwhile, Valverde recognized that when one of the longest professional careers in the history of the sport finally comes to an end this December, there will be a period of adjustment for him, but he insisted he is confident he will get through it.

"It's not hard," he said. My head is already telling me that I shouldn't suffer so much on the bike."

"It's not difficult.

"I have a contract with the team for two more years, so with them I have to decide what role I will play. But I have another life ahead of me."

Before that, Valverde has to run the Vuelta a España one more time.