Alejandro Valverde, a driver who ran over two cyclists in Alcantarilla Saturday afternoon, went to La Alberca’s Murcia Local Police Headquarters and surrendered to authorities. After running over three cyclists on the RM-560 highway between Javali Viejo, Alcantarilla, the 69-year old detainee fled.
Alejandro Valverde sustained injuries in the accident. He was taken to the Virgen De La Arrixaca hospital, Murcia, by the toilet attendants. Movistar Team, his team, confirmed via its official Twitter account that El Bala, the cyclist nicknamed, “has not fractured or sustained serious injuries.” They also assured that the cyclist would be kept under observation for 24 hours before he is released.
Alejandro Valverde shared a picture of himself at the Virgen de La Arrixaca Hospital via Instagram. He also included a message thanking “the support and signs of affection” received. The cyclist from Las Lumbreras also reassured his fans and said that he was “fine” and that “fortunately, nothing has been a scare”.
After suffering an accident this Saturday while filming in Alcantarilla with a friend, @alejanvalverde is now fully recovered. Bala will be released after 24 hours of observation. His partner is also OK. pic.twitter.com/Y2GmfU9HYf
Pedro Delgado, a former cyclist, explained during Teledeporte’s live broadcast of the Tour de France that the accident occurred because a driver failed to respect the 1.5 meter safety distance. The cyclists would have called the driver’s attention to see this dangerous and reckless maneuver. This would have caused the car to stop and then back up. This would have caused the accident and the driver would have fled, according to Delgado. He was one of the members who accompanied Valverde during his training.
According to the 112 of Murcia, there was a third cyclist involved in the accident. He was only slightly injured. Although he has a “hematoma/trauma”, his injuries are not severe.
Local police officers from Murcia City Council and an ambulance of the Management of Urgencies and Health Emergencies 061 (an emergency service ambulance) also made it to the scene.
Alejandro Valverde spent the Region of Murcia preparing for his next competition, Vuelta a Espana. It will begin next August. The Tour de France’s second stage was held this Saturday, and the Murcian cyclist chose not to participate.
