By signing up Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) for the World Championships coming to Stuttgart, Germany later this month, the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) operated contrary to the UCI's wishes.
Allegations that Valverde was tied to Operacion Puerto resurfaced in August after the UCI reported new implicating information. The UCI then banned Valverde from participation in Worlds and asked RFEC to investigate the rider.
"The RFEC would like to inform the UCI of its opposition to the disciplinary proceedings against Valverde, and that he will be present at the world championships in Stuttgart," said a statement from the RFEC according to AFP.
RFEC stated officially three criteria for its decision. First, it claimed the documentation sent to it by the UCI contained no new information while pointing out that the Civil Guard had already dismissed the case against Valverde. RFEC added that the Court had prohibited the use of its Puerto documentation to be used in disciplinary action against cyclists and therefore the UCI was disrespecting the Spanish judicial system.
Finally, RFEC said in its statement that it cannot follow the direction of the UCI to perform a DNA analysis because the Puerto blood bags for comparison are in the possession of the court, not RFEC. Based on permissive documents already signed by the riders, the Spanish federation indicated it was technically the UCI's responsibility to carry out such testing.
Valverde has consistently maintained his innocence.
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