June 9, 2006 – Another development in the ongoing Spanish doping scandal: Liberty Seguros’ manager, Manolo Saiz, has resigned. Saiz, a longtime figure in cycling, manager of the famous ONCE squad, has quit following massive allegations against both his team and other Spanish riders,

AP reported today that Astana-Würth, which took over sponsorship of the team formerly known as Liberty Seguros, announced Saiz’s resignation in a brief statement.

Saiz will be replaced by the triumvirate of Herminio Diaz Zabala, Marino Lejarreta and Neil Stephens.

Although Saiz still claims innocence in the affair, he said he did so not to to damage the team and Spanish cycling as the Tour of France looms.