RFEC President Sánchez confused over UCI's proposal on Valverde

By Antonio J. Salmerón

The President of the Spanish Federation (RFEC), Fulgencio Sánchez, is angry with the UCI's decision regarding Alejandro Valverde. The rider has been barred from the World Championships, September 30 in Stuttgart, by the UCI, which has also requested an investigation by his federation.

"I do not understand what the UCI is now saying about Valverde. If he could race the Tour, why not race in Stuttgart. We reviewed the Operación Puerto summary, as well as the Spanish Civil Guard and the judge in charge of this affair, and we do not see a connection between Valverde and the people supposedly implied in Operación Puerto," Fulgencio Sánchez said to Cyclingnews. "We count on the support of the CSD [Spain's Superior Council of Sports], which is working on the subject in order to give a legal answer to the UCI," Sánchez continued.

He demanded that the UCI assume the legal and sporting responsibilities that could derive from false accusations against Valverde. "Pat McQuaid knows perfectly well that the instructional judge of the Operación Puerto investigation will prevent the initiation of any investigations." He added, "what the UCI has sent to us is the same documentation of a year ago." Although, he admitted that, "the RFEC is going to act according to the Spanish legal regulation. ... Valverde will be at the World Championships in Stuttgart, even if McQuaid dares to prevent him."