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Valverde looking for a win at Paris-Camembert as doping investigation continues

by VeloNews.com

• April 13, 2009
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A year after winning the race on his first visit, Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde will once again be in Normandy on Tuesday to get his teeth into the Paris-Camembert, even as he awaits the outcome of a doping investigation into him in Italy.

Two weeks ago, the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) anti-doping prosecutor demanded a two-year ban for Valverde, embroiled in a Spanish blood doping probe.

In March, Valverde, nicknamed The Green Bullet, told an Italian anti-doping hearing he had not done anything wrong and was not in any way mixed up in Spain’s Operation Puerto scandal.

The Italians allege that blood samples from the racer emanating from a doping control during last year’s Tour de France during a stage in Italy matched DNA samples from suspect blood bags discovered in the Spanish investigation, which dates from 2006.

And they therefore allege that Valverde, 28 and a top rider in his country who has won a dozen races including a second Liege-Bastogne success last year, has violated article 2.2 of the WADA code on taking banned substances.

The Italian tribunal is to meet and decide its next move on May 11 and Valverde may face an international suspension.

Nonetheless, he has not let the cloud hanging over him affect his form, having on Sunday won the Klasika Primavera road race for the third time.

“I am feeling better than I expected,” remarked the Murcia-born racer, who in Normandy will be able to count on support from the likes of compatriot Oscar Pereiro, as they tackle the 202.7 km event which features two first category climbs as well as two second categories and three thirds.

The final section around Vimoutiers, including the 17-percent gradient at Champeaux some 10km from the finish, is likely to help sort the wheat from the chaff.

Anthony Geslin, of Francaise des Jeux, is one of the top French picks for taking on Valverde, having won in 2006.