Boycott of the Spanish ProTour races?

By Monika Prell

There's a rumour in the world of cycling about a possible boycott of Spanish ProTour races on the part of the foreign teams, which could begin on August 1, according to AS. If carried out, the boycott would affect the Clásica San Sebastián (August 1), the Vuelta a Burgos (August 14 to 18) and the Vuelta a España (September 1 to 27).

The teams may use this tactic if the position of the Spanish teams that are implicated in the Operación Puerto is not clarified.

"The involved Spanish cyclists can compete with impunity and even win races," according to a letter from the Association of Italian professional riders (ACCPI) to the UCI.

Victor Cordero, the General Director of the Vuelta a España, affirms that "we have information about the possibility of this boycott. But in any case, this won't affect us. We will impose to the invited teams the same condition as to the ProTour teams. Anyone whose situation is not clear will be allowed to ride the Vuelta."

Jaime Ugarte, the General Director of the Clásica San Sebastián, is away on vacation. "I prefer not to give any commentary before I return and before understanding well what has happened," he noted