1.89 tall for 76kg, he is the classic long-limbed athlete who pushes on the pace without a tomorrow. Over the years, he has shown a steady growth now culminating in the fantastic victory at Snowshoe in the 7th stage of the XCO World Cup. A past as a bicycle mechanic in the workshop before deciding to become a professional athlete.
Many of his results, in the past, at national level but nothing striking at international level until 2016, when he won 2 top 10 in the world cup and a 9th place in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. She was 28 years old. A leap in quality with the MMR Factory Racing Team, where he finds the value of him.
In 2017 he begins to achieve important results: in Nove Mesto he was close to victory (he is 2nd among 2 sacred monsters like Schurter and Absalon) and conquers another 2 podiums in the first 5. From here it is a succession of important placings, as a great champion, but always in the shadow of the champions: first Absalon, then Kulhavy, then Schurter.
In 2020 another masterpiece arrives: 3rd place at Tokyo Olympics removing the medal to mr Mountain Bike, ie Nino Schurter. After an unexceptional start, he puts into action his favorite tactic, namely the comeback race. An irresistible progression up to third place, mocking even a legend like Nino Schurter.
His strong point is certainly not the starts and is very reminiscent of Gerhard Kerschbaumer: certainly in the future, abandoned the cross country, he will also be able to say something in marathon races if he finds the motivation to try his hand.
The figure of Carlos Coloma, bronze at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. Once retired from the races, the former biker became Valero's trainer.
In 2022, Valero has already achieved a 5th place in Albstadt, a 2nd place in Andorra and now the victory in Snowshoe. In Mont Sainte Anne, he will be a tough nut to crack for everyone.
