Alejandro Valverde explained his immediate career plans after retiring from racing, revealing that he will take an important staff position with the Movistar team next year.

At the Saitama Criterium in Japan, Valverde said that he will work for the team as a liaison between the riders, coaches, and directors.

He told the Spanish newspaper AS (open in new tab) in Japan that he is set to work with the team in all three Grand Tours.

"My main job is to improve communication between the directors, coaches, and riders," he said.

"I will be on the bike for several races. For example, I'll be at the Giro, the Tour, the Vuelta, five or six days, something like that. But I'll still show up for the races."

Valverde's former teammate Enric Mas, who helped Valverde to a second-place finish at the Vuelta a España, said that having Valverde in the team car is valuable, given the experience he has gained in his 20-year career.

Valverde's leadership has been demonstrated in the Least Expected Day documentary series and throughout his long career.

"Having a rider like him on the bus and in the car is very important. Especially in a race that he won so many times," Mas said.

Valverde's new role will be a big change for the 42-year-old, although the details are not clear. He will compete in the Saitama Criterium at the weekend and will also take part in Rigoberto Urán's Giro de Rigo Gran Fondo in Costa Reis at the end of the month.

"I've spent so many years competing, and I don't know if what comes next will respect me. It will certainly feel strange when the season starts, but I will stay connected to this world."

In addition to being on the bike with his team at the races next season, Valverde plans to attend Movistar's high altitude camp, where he will ride the bike again.

He also said he hopes to continue competing in some form of gravel racing.

"That's the plan," he said. I don't know if it's going to be, like, three whole weeks, but maybe 10 days or something like that. I'm sure I won't be competing."

"I want to compete in gravel races and things like that. To have sporting goals and to have fun.

"Maybe I won't need as much discipline, but my training mornings will stay the same."