epoh Posted February 11, 2009 Posted February 11, 2009 Source: http://www.velonews.com/article/87585/ Italians summon Valverde on Puerto doping suspicions2008 Tour blood sample matched Puerto bloodBy Agence France PressePosted Feb. 11, 2009TheItalian Olympic Committee (CONI) on Wednesday summoned Spanish riderAlejandro Valverde to face charges of doping or attempting to dope inrelation to the infamous 'Operation Puerto' affair. The Caisse D'Epargne rider has been asked to appear before Coni at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Monday. CONI said it had also informed the rider's team and the International Cycling Union (UCI) of the summons. The summons relates to a blood-urine sample given by Valverde on July 21, during the 2008 Tour de France after a stage in Italy. Italian news agency Ansa reported that DNA tests on this samplematched those of blood samples seized from the laboratory of tainteddoctor Eufemiano Fuentes, the central figure in the Puerto scandal. Although the sample Valverde gave during the Tour did not fail anydope tests, it is for the DNA match to the Puerto samples that Valverdehas been summoned. Valverde has long come under suspicion of doping after beingimplicated in the Puerto affair although nothing came of Spanishinvestigations into his alleged involvement. The UCI initially banned the two-time ProTour winner from the 2007World Championships due to this implication but he took his case to theCourt of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which re-instated him. He is currently the subject of an open case at CAS brought by theWorld Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after Spanish authorities washed theirhands of the whole Puerto affair. Valverde is aone-day specialist who has three times finished on the podium at theWorld Championships and was second in the 2006 Tour of Spain.epoh2009-02-11 11:26:33
Tumbleweed Posted February 11, 2009 Posted February 11, 2009 oops! wrong guy.holy roller2009-02-11 11:28:38
TNT1 Posted February 11, 2009 Posted February 11, 2009 oops! wrong guy.oops, pointless pic then...TNT12009-02-11 11:33:56
Serendipity Posted February 11, 2009 Posted February 11, 2009 These days you can run but you can't hide. If they link his DNA to samples found in the good doctor's lab, he is going to have some explaining to do. DNA is even better than fingerprints.
epoh Posted February 11, 2009 Author Posted February 11, 2009 A lot of people got off in the Puerto scandal and although I think Valverde is very talented I also think he is one of the biggest dopers out there running free. Very unfair that Ivan was the only guy pursued whilst the others denied it and nothing further was done.
TNT1 Posted February 11, 2009 Posted February 11, 2009 think Valverde is very talented I also think he is one of the biggest dopers out there running free. Agreed. And what's more, for all the talent and dope, he still doesn't win all that much.
Tankman Posted February 11, 2009 Posted February 11, 2009 Surley they cant take his sage win away, seeing he was tested during the tour and all was good?
madison Posted February 11, 2009 Posted February 11, 2009 http://www.velonews.com/article/87593/the-explainer---whose-blood-is-it-anywayInteresting article trying to explain how the Italians are pursuing a Spanish investigation using evidence obtained in a French event.
Sean Badenhorst Posted February 11, 2009 Posted February 11, 2009 Surley they cant take his sage win away' date=' seeing he was tested during the tour and all was good?[/quote'] No, but they could take his career away.
Christie Posted February 14, 2009 Posted February 14, 2009 Some more news from http://www.podiumcafe.com/2009/2/12/757313/operation-puerto-more-on-t (don't know hor reliable) 1. Positive DNA match has been made by CONI from Puerto blod bag no 18 (think it is labled valv.piti or something like that) and a blood sample given by him at the 2008 TDF. 2. Looks like he will get a 2 yr ban from racing in Italy for sure, and CONI will request a worldwide ban from WADA. 3. It sounds like CONI has received the full Puerto files from Spain, and that they will be going after "Amigo de Birillo" and some others as well. I guess we'll know soon in Frank Schleck paid 7000 euro to a gynaecologist for a training plan only.
Christie Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 Oooo, some more details emerging:http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2009/feb09/feb20news2 Comparison blood was taken on a surprize dope test during tdf stage 15 that finished in Italy last year. Some CSC riders, including Frank Schleck was also tested. Seems the Italians are working with a plan. A coincidence that Valverde's dog's name is Piti? I don't think so! (He released a statement proclaiming his innocence, of course) Christie2009-02-20 11:59:21
porky Posted February 20, 2009 Posted February 20, 2009 Its been out for a few days now, cyclingnews is a bit slow off the bat, the bloggers have been chatting about it for a while - maybe cyclingnews was just waiting for further info. Hense the media in a tiz about Cancellera (who is also recently linked) and his hasty exit from the Tour of California.
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