Former professional rider Jesus Manzano handed out accusations about Alejandro Valverde’s doping habits when the rode together for the Kelme team.
He told the Spanish sports newspaper As that, “In Kelme they did it (doped) in 2002 and 2003, Valverde was the same as me. When they gave me something, they also gave something to him.”
Manzano came out with revelations in 2004 about widespread doping in the peloton. His accusations were written off by the world of cycling as an attempt to get revenge due to being fired by Kelme.
In a 2004 interview with Spanish newspaper As Manzano detailed the doping practices of his former team. His statements to the Spanish Guardia Civil on the matter were what led to Operación Puerto investigation that has turned cycling inside-out over the past several years.
The real question is whether Valverde is in any danger of being suspended should his DNA match the blood sample. The investigating judge in charge of ‘Operación Puerto’ ruled today that the CONI evidence against Valverde had been unlawfully obtained. So, if the evidence against him is thrown out in the court of law, how will race organizers react in the court of public opinion?