Schleck cloud darkens

Luxembourg's anti-doping agency (ALAD) announced that it would expand an investigation into Fränk Schleck following revelations he had indirect dealings with Operación Puerto figure Eufemiano Fuentes. AP has reported that despite the Puerto case being closed by Spanish authorities, the ALAD has decided that CSC-Saxo Bank's star has a greater case to answer and will pursue it.

CSC-Saxo-Bank has already suspended Schleck after he admitted transferring money to a Swiss bank account held by Fuentes. Like former team-mate Ivan Basso before him, Luxembourg's number one rider said that despite these actions – contact with Fuentes – he never doped. He gave evidence about the transfer to ALAD last week and the national agency ruled on Tuesday that the statements were insufficient to declare him innocent. It will now widen the probe.

The ALAD released a statement, saying, "It has been decided to carry out an additional investigation at different levels." This latest development is another blow to cycling's image at a time when the Olympic movement is calling for the sport's place in the Games to be examined (SW).