The International Cycling Union (UCI) reiterated it will not allow that Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) to participate in the World Championships in Stuttgart. "The rider can't be in Stuttgart, and that is final," affirmed the UCI.
The UCI asked the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) to open disciplinary proceedings against the 27 year-old rider because it found indications in the Guardia Civil documentation that linked Valverde to the Operación Puerto. The RFEC refused its demand. After an exhaustive study of the documentation, the RFEC decided that there were no new indications for a possible implication.
Europe Press announced that the RFEC did not receive any official communication on the part of the UCI. "From that moment on we will act depending from the arguments that they cite, including going to CAS [Court of Arbitration for Sport] or ordinary court action," indicated the RFEC according to Marca.
The UCI answered the RFEC. "If they open the disciplinary proceedings the UCI asks against him, good, but if they say that they won't do it, for us the situation won't change because the rider won't be in Stuttgart," said UCI spokesman Enrico Carpani.
Alejandro Valverde's manager, Sánchez Sabater, will wait "until the end of this week" before undertaking legal actions against the UCI. "If it does not withdraw the accusations of doping, and the damages it is causing him," he reported to Cyclingnews.
"The UCI's decision has not any sense, and the last declarations on the subject by Enrico Carpani have been in error," continued Sabater. He counts on the support of the RFEC and Spain's Superior Council of Sports (CSD).
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Valverde sent a letter to the UCI yesterday to inform it that he will undertake legal actions if it does not allow him to work as a professional cyclist. He continues training and trusts that he will race in Stuttgart. "Nobody will prevent Valverde from competing in the World Championships," Valverde's manager concluded.
