By Susan Westemeyer
New laws in Spain may enable the cycling federations to use the Operación Puerto documents, according to Thomas Bach, Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Chairman of its Sports and Law Commission. "The new health law goes into effect in November," said Bach. "In contrast to the current regulations, it specifically gives the exclusive responsibility for doping proceedings to the sports federations, and could cause the court to release documents."
Although last week the Spanish court ruled that the national federations may not use the Operación Puerto documents, the status of such riders as Ivan Basso and Jan Ullrich remains unclear. At the moment, neither has signed with a team, and the ProTour teams, in a meeting on October 25 in Paris, reiterated their opposition to the signing of riders who are under suspicion.
"The front stands as before," remarked Gerolsteiner spokesman Mathias Wieland. Luuc Eisenga, Technical Director at T-Mobile Team, also gave his thoughts to Cyclingnews. "Our position remains unchanged, the peer pressure must persist," added Eisenga. "If everyone would be as professionally positioned as the ProTour teams, the front would be much harder."
Cyclingnews' recent coverage of 'Operación Puerto'
April 2, 2009 - Valverde indignant over possible suspension
April 1, 2009 - Valverde: Italy requests two-year suspension
March 13, 2009 - Le Monde newspaper hit with fine over Puerto allegations
March 2, 2009 - WADA president Fahey asks for Puerto evidence
February 24, 2009 - Spanish federation seeks access to Puerto blood bags
February 20, 2009 - CONI considers Valverde case while UCI awaits verdict
February 19, 2009 - Valverde under criminal investigation
February 11, 2009 - Valverde summonsed for Operación Puerto in Italy
February 8, 2009 - Eight charged in Operación Puerto
Cyclingnews' complete coverage of Operación Puerto
