Governing body states that any team activity is not allowed while rider is suspended
Less than 24 hours before Alejandro Valverde was due to make his first appearance with the Movistar team, the Spanish squad has been forced to abandon the event. It issued a press statement this evening saying that a clash with the UCI has meant that it has to change its plans in relation to presenting the rider in the 2012 team kit, as had been planned.
“We are sorry to announce that the Alejandro Valverde presentation event as new Movistar Team rider for the next seasons to be held tomorrow in Madrid has been postponed,” it said in the communication.
“The International Cycling Union (UCI) has not permitted the presence by the rider in the event by virtue of an interpretation of the international rules which we show in strong disagreement with, but which we have to obey to avoid any disciplinary measures its breach would result in.”
UCI spokesman Enrico Carpani said that the governing body’s stance should not be a surprise for the team. “He is suspended, so for him any official activity is not possible. It is very logical,” he told VeloNation. “He is not allowed to make any training session with the jersey of the new team, not allowed to be part of any presentation…it’s clear.”
Carpani was most likely referring to article 320 of the UCI anti-doping regulations, which lays out conditions binding to the rider during his period of suspension.
It reads as follows:
“No License-Holder who has been declared Ineligible may, during the period of Ineligibility, participate
in any capacity in an Event or activity (other than authorized anti-doping education or rehabilitation
programs) authorized, recognized or organized by UCI, a Continental Confederation, a National
Federation, or any other Signatory, Signatory’s member organization, or a club or other member
organization of any Continental Confederation or National Federation of UCI or another Signatory or
Signatory’s member organization, or in Competitions authorized or organized by any professional
league or any international or national level Event organization.”
Valverde is returning after a lengthy ban for his part in Operacion Puerto. The team stated on Friday that he would be a Movistar rider in 2012. However his suspension is not due to end until January 1st and so being part of an official team presentation tomorrow contravenes the rules.
Valverde first joined the team structure in 2005 when it was sponsored by Illes Balears-Banesto, then remained in the fold when it became the Caisse d’Epargne setup. He took many big wins during his time there, including the 2009 Vuelta a España, the UCI ProTour and Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2006 and 2008, as well as two editions of the Critérium de Dauphiné Libéré, plus Flèche Wallonne, the Clasica San Sebastián and the Volta a Catalunya.
He has also picked up numerous stages in multi-day races, including the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España.
He was banned on may 31st 2010 following a CAS appeal taken by the UCI and WADA, but has trained with the team on several occasions since, including at its pre-season training camp in Majorca.
He is yet to announce his programme with the squad, but it’s clear is that he is going to have to wait until January 1st before any official appearance with them as a rider.