Valverde plans late peak

"My personal preparation and goals will be slightly different from last year because I will mostly concentrate on the second part of the season," the Caisse d'Epargne rider said.

The 27-year-old Spaniard, who pulled out of the Tour in his first two appearances, made it to Paris last year but was already out of contention by the sixth stage.

In 2005, Valverde remarkably beat seven times champion Lance Armstrong on a stage in Courchevel before pulling out with a knee injury.

In 2006, a crash on the third stage to Valkenburg in the Netherlands ruled him out of contention early in the race.

However, Valverde believes he has a strong team behind him to improve on the French roads.

"Our team is a very strong one, reinforced by the arrival of some very talented riders," he said.

"That is very important considering the work the team will have to get through during the whole season to be present in all the most important races on the calendar."

Last year, Valverde recorded his best results in the first part of the season. He was second in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege classic and sixth in the Amstel Gold Race.