May 11, 2009 – The Italian Olympic Committee’s (CONI) anti-doping tribunal has banned Spain’s Alejandro Valverde from racing in Italy for two years regarding his involvement with Operacion Puerto reports Reuters. Valverde refutes their authority to make such a ruling, but his participation at the Tour de France is now in jeopardy as it passes through Italy on Stage 16 on on July 21.
Read more on this story the Telegraph UK.