"It never seems to end," said Alejandro Valverde, winner of last year's Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the ProTour, who did not know what to make of Alexander Vinokourov's positive post-race control. The Spaniard is in seventh place in the general classification after stage 16, 13'23" behind leader Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank). Valverde was disappointed by the test result of the "Great Champion"
"It is enough that it was a grand champion like Vino; it never seems to end," explained Valverde as he rode to the start line to begin stage 16 to Col d'Aubisque. "I don't know, I don't know," if the system functions or not.
Valverde was associated with Operación Puerto before the start of the Tour and can appreciate the pressure that now on Vinokourov, but he persisted that he will not lose sight of his goals. "Now I am in the Tour, and I am only thinking of the Tour; it is too hard to worry about problems outside of my control."
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