The names of the 58 cyclists implicated in the Operacion Puerto drugs investigation will be passed on by the UCI to the respective riders' national federations this week, according to AFP. The federations will then have one month to decide what action to take against the named riders.
The affected riders include Ivan Basso, Oscar Sevilla, Joseba Beloki and Francisco Mancebo. Jan Ullrich's case will be passed on to the Swiss federation, with which the rider is registered. The Spanish federation will be obliged to open disciplinary hearings concerning the largest national group of cyclists.
Once the national federations have reached a decision about the affected riders, the UCI has given itself a month to decide to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Spanish Operacion Puerto investigators found some 200 frozen bags of blood and plasma as well as various other prohibited products including steroids, EPO and growth hormones in their investigation which began in February.
Cyclingnews' recent coverage of 'Operación Puerto'
April 2, 2009 - Valverde indignant over possible suspension
April 1, 2009 - Valverde: Italy requests two-year suspension
March 13, 2009 - Le Monde newspaper hit with fine over Puerto allegations
March 2, 2009 - WADA president Fahey asks for Puerto evidence
February 24, 2009 - Spanish federation seeks access to Puerto blood bags
February 20, 2009 - CONI considers Valverde case while UCI awaits verdict
February 19, 2009 - Valverde under criminal investigation
February 11, 2009 - Valverde summonsed for Operación Puerto in Italy
February 8, 2009 - Eight charged in Operación Puerto
Cyclingnews' complete coverage of Operación Puerto
