Banned earlier this year from racing in Italy due to a CONI finding that some blood pouches seized during the Operacion Puerto raids matched his DNA, Alejandro Valverde will now not stay in Italy during the world road race championships.
The elite road race is taking place in Mendrisio, Switzerland, but its proximity to the border twinned with a scarcity of accommodation in the area has seen many teams and supporters choose lodging in Italy.
While Valverde’s ban is limited only to competing in the country, he may have been nervous about the possible complications that could have arisen. It was announced Wednesday that some or all of the Spanish team will now stay in Switzerland.
Valverde won the Vuelta a España on Sunday and is one of the favourites for the world championships.