Newly crowned World Champion Alejandro Valverde said he believes cycling ‘is in great health' when asked if the sport is clean.
The 38-year-old won his first World Championship in Innsbruck, Austria last month after besting his rivals in a four-man sprint.
Speaking with Spanish newspaper Marca (opens in new tab), Valverde said he does not like to be questioned about the Operation Puerto doping raids, which resulted in the Spaniard being suspended for two years.
When asked by Marca if it hurts to be asked about Puerto, Valverde said: “It does not hurt, but I do not like to be asked, even you now.
“It’s [journalists], first and foremost who give weight to it. Anyone is free to write what they want but in giving weight to it you play the game.”
Then when asked if he thought cycling was a model of clean sport, he added: “It is very clear that cycling has great health today.”
The Operation Puerto scandal hit the headlines again last week after a Spanish court permitted the release of blood bags to the Italian Olympic committee.
Names of athletes linked to the case could finally be revealed after the court’s decision.
More than 200 blood bags were seized during the police operation in anti-doping raids in 2006.
Big names riders were implicated in the scandal, including Valverde, Tyler Hamilton, Ivan Basso and Jan Ulrich.
In 2010, Valverde was eventually banned from the sport for two years after his DNA was matched to a blood bag seized in Puerto raids.
The names of the 26 men and three women linked to Puerto through the blood bags have not been published due to fear of lawsuits from those involved.
Since his return to the sport, the Spaniard has ridden from strength to strength, winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2015 and 2017, and La Flèche Wallonne in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
This season, Valverde won overall at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, the Abu Dhabi Tour, the Volta a Catalunya. and La Route d’Occitanie.
After riding in podium position for most of the Vuelta a España, Valverde finished fifth overall before taking his first rainbow jersey in Austria two weeks later.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
Analysis: How Mathieu van der Poel won Milan-San Remo
After another exhilarating finish to Milan-San Remo, it’s time to look back at the day and the key tactical moments that defined it
-
Saved by a doping test: The pro rider treated for cancer after abnormal blood result
When his team doctor called about an abnormal test result, Torstein Træen could not believe what was happening – but it would turn out to be a potentially life-saving red flag
-
Changing of the guard: Seven top cyclists who have retired in 2022
Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tom Dumoulin have all called time on their careers this year
-
American cyclist Jackson ’Huntley’ Nash handed lifetime ban after doping violations
USADA hand down penalty after multiple offences discovered by investigation
-
‘I was rubbing shoulders with Nibali and Valverde’ - Oliver Knight gets starstruck at Vuelta a Burgos
UAE Team Emirates rider makes big step up in key race before the Vuelta a España
-
Alejandro Valverde involved in hit and run incident during training in Spain
Movistar confirm rider suffered no fractures or other injuries
-
Alejandro Valverde: Second place at Flèche Wallonne 'is worth as much as a victory'
Spaniard finishes on podium for eight time in final time up Mur de Huy
-
Guillaume Martin: The big question is this grey area of ketones
The Frenchman says he is in favour of banning ketones for reasons of fairness
-
Julian Alaphilippe doesn't share Arnaud Démare's concerns over performance products used in the peloton
The Frenchman also says he 'won't be shouting from the rooftops' when he eventually decides to compete for the Tour de France yellow jersey
-
Alejandro Valverde confirms he will stay with Movistar for 2022
The Spaniard enters his 18th year with the Spanish-based team, which could be his last
