Valverde 'not permitted' at Movistar presentation

Alejandro Valverde's presentation as a Movistar rider for the 2012 season, due to take place on Tuesday in Madrid, has been postponed as a result of what the team claims are instructions from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

A press release on Monday evening from Movistar says that "the UCI has not permitted the presence of the rider... by virtue of an interpretation of the international rules".

The team said it disagreed with the rules strongly, but had to obey in order to avoid "disciplinary measures". The UCI has yet to confirm this is the case, or that it is responsible for the delay.

Valverde is currently in the final weeks of a two-year ban for his implication in the Operacion Puerto anti-doping probe. The Spaniard is allowed to start racing again on January 1, 2012.

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