Cycling News Flash for June 13, 2006

Edited by Anthony Tan

Comunidad Valenciana's Tour invite withdrawn

By Antonio J. Salmerón

In the wake of 'Operation Puerto', it has now been announced that the organisers of the Tour de France, A.S.O., have chosen to withdraw the wildcard entry of Spanish Pro Continental Team Comunidad Valenciana. Their absence will not be substituted with another team, it has been reported.

After being excluded from the 2004 Tour, due in no small part to the revelations of former Kelme rider Jesus Manzano, Comunidad Valenciana had repeatedly stated its main goal was to be invited back to the race. In March 2 this year, the team looked set on achieving this goal when A.S.O. announced they and French Pro Continental Team Agritubel were the two successful wildcard entries.

Only last weekend, the team travelled to the French Alps to reconnoitre the decisive stages of this year's Tour of France. Rubén Plaza was to captain the squad under the guidance of team manager Vicente Belda, with Eladio Jiménez, David Bernabeu and David Blanco as Plaza's key riders. Julián Sánchez Pimienta, Juan Gomis, José Luis Martínez, José Adrián Bonilla and David Latasa were to complete the roster.

Cyclingnews' recent coverage of 'Operación Puerto'

May 18, 2009 - Valverde to start Catalunya
May 15, 2009 - Valverde not welcome in Denmark
May 14, 2009 - Spanish federation wants proof in Valverde case
May 13, 2009 - Spanish Olympic Committee defends Valverde
May 12, 2009 - Valverde responds to sanction
May 11, 2009 - Italian tribunal delivers Valverde two-year suspension
May 8, 2009 - Valverde case: Italian Olympic Committee defends Torri
May 7, 2009 - Valverde to take legal action against CONI prosecutor
May 5, 2009 - WADA and Spanish federation join CONI and UCI on Valverde
May 1, 2009 - International Cycling Union joins in on Valverde's hearing in Italy

Cyclingnews' complete coverage of Operación Puerto

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