Alejandro Valverde

       

      Alejandro Valverde is a Spanish cyclist, professional since 2002 and today is member of the Spanish team Movistar Team. During his professional career he has competed in the teams Kelme-Costa Blanca and Illes Balears / Caisse d'Epargne / Movistar.

The TAS suspended Alejandro Valverde for two years due to his involvement in the 'Operation Puerto'. The suspension took effect in January 2010, so he was not able to take part in a competition until January 2012.

The TAS founded that the bag 'number 18' contained EPO and the DNA test certifying that this blood belonged to Valverde. This was enough to conclude that the Spanish athlete violated the anti-doping rules.

Many cyclists were accused of taking part in the ‘Operation Puerto’. This was a disgraceful situation that damaged the elite sport, specially the cycling. Unfortunately, today we continue reading news like this in the newspaper. We all hope that one day, all athletes will be honest and don´t use forbidden substances for improving their performance. 

Referencias:
- Valverde, suspendido dos años por dopaje | Ciclismo | elmundo.es. (2010). Elmundo.es. Retrieved 16 May 2017, from http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2010/05/31/ciclismo/1275318480.html

- [Bala Verde]. (2016, May 23). Espacio reservado: Alejandro Valverde [Archivo de Vídeo]. Recuperado de: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUhE8mzlvPQ&t=444s