October 8, 2006 – One of cycling’s , and indeed sport’s , longest-running and biggest drug scandals continues to motor its way along with some positive and negative consequences.

On Thursday, Oct. 5, Spain’s senate passed anti-doping legislation which could see the creation of a national anti-doping agency as recently reported by AP. The law for the protection of health and the fight against doping in sport was passed by a 300-5 margin. But the legislation will need to be approved by parliament before it officially becomes law.

Meanwhile, the Madrid court that is in charge of the Operación Puerto case yesterday sent a letter to the Spanish Cycling Federation stating that the federation is not allowed to use the court documents to open up cases against riders named in the investigation.

This means that the Spanish Federation will have to wait until the trial is over, which is predicted to be completed by the middle of next year, to open proceedings with any sporting bodies or to sanction any implicated riders.