Alejandro Valverde has finally decided to pass the baton to a new generation after 20 years in the pro peloton.

Valverde rode his last professional race at Il Lombardia earlier this month, ending a career that included 133 wins, a world title, podiums in all three Grand Tours, and a doping ban.

Valverde is currently in East Asia, competing in the Tour de France-sponsored Singapore Criterium and adjusting to life after pro cycling with a major shock: a morning run.

With many Belgian journalists in attendance, all the riders in Singapore are being asked about their phenomenal season winning Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Vuelta a España, and the road race world championships in Evenpoel.

They would have been overjoyed with Valverde. Valverde praised the 22-year-old more than anyone else. [The world title, the Vuelta, and the four Liege tournaments, Valverde said, "With what he is showing now, if he continues like this, he will definitely be better than me. 'It's great to be a world champion as young as he is and to win the Vuelta, Liège, and San Sebastián.'

"He is my best rider right now. Tadej Pogachar is exceptional, but Lemko does things that surprise everyone. He is much better than the other riders. So for me, Lemko is the best rider in the world at the moment.

Valverde said that it is time for a new generation to come into play, but in reality he can still keep pace with them. His tremendous winning percentage may have dropped in his last season, but his runner-up finishes at Strade Bianche and La Flèche Wallonne and his 11th and 13th places at the Giro and Vuelta were ageless.

He finished the season with a second, fourth, third, and sixth in the Italian classics.

With such good form, does Valverde have any regrets?

"No," he said. No. "It is better to end on a good note, with a good result. That way people will remember you as the rider of the last 20 years who had a good level at the start and a good level at the end."

"It doesn't matter if you are over 42 years old. 'Maybe next year I can maintain a good level, but that's all I can do right now. I have to give way to the younger guys and I'm going to enjoy cycling from a different angle."

"I'm happy with my career: not only have I won 133 times, but I've also been runner-up 110 times and third 105 times. So I've been on the podium about 300 times. I've practically achieved everything."

Valverde continues to be involved in professional cycling with his Movistar team, which he has been with since 2005. Valverde's role is not set in stone, but he will remain heavily involved as he has been the lifeblood of the team for over 15 years.

"I will be involved a little bit with the players, a little bit with the coach, a little bit with the manager. A little bit here, a little bit there," he said.

"I'm going to use my experience and give everyone advice where I can. If there's something I can improve on, I'm going to help with that."