Responding to an earlier announcement by CAS which confirmed that Alejandro Valverde will face a two year ban from the sport, the UCI and WADA have both given the thumbs up to the decision.
The two bodies had appealed to CAS after the Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) had refused to sanction the rider for his implication in Operación Puerto. As detailed earlier today on Velonation, CAS ruled against the rider, saying that the DNA evidence used by Italian Olympic Committee CONI was valid proof that he had indeed doped.
“WADA is pleased that this matter is now resolved and that CAS ruled in favour of WADA and the International Cycling Union (UCI),” said WADA President John Fahey, in a communication released today.
"This decision confirms that the scientific and forensic evidence gathered by anti-doping organizations, including information from law enforcement, shows that the athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation. WADA will continue to use its independent right of appeal to CAS whenever appropriate in order to ensure that such cases are fully scrutinized by CAS to determine appropriate sanctions under the World Anti-Doping Code.”
The UCI indicated that it was also satisfied with the decision.
“By deciding to suspend the Spanish rider, the CAS agreed with the UCI, which had appealed in 2007 together with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against the refusal of the Spanish Cycling Federation to open disciplinary proceedings against Mr Valverde for his involvement in Operation Puerto.
“The UCI and cycling as a whole have certainly suffered greatly from this affair. The damage caused by Mr Valverde's behaviour since the UCI became convinced of his guilt cannot be fully compensated for by this regulatory sanction. Nevertheless, the UCI is now relieved and contented with CAS’s decision as it resolves a situation that had become untenable.”
The Spaniard will lose his results from 2010 and won’t be able to race again until January 1, 2012.
It remains to be seen what effect this will have upon his team’s prospects of finding a new backer. Caisse d’Epargne had already announced that it was withdrawing as a sponsor, with the current season being the final
“There will be a Caisse d’Epargne team in the 2010 Tour de France, but the contract will end at the end of 2010," CEO Francois Perol told Radio-Classique in January.
It said then that it would focus on backing French Olympic teams as well as Annecy’s candidature to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. However it is highly likely that the ongoing controversy about Valverde played a part, particularly as he was declared not welcome in last year’s Tour de France.