Cycling body determined to ban Valverde

The International Cycling Union have announced their 'determination to take the necessary measures' to ensure Alejandro Valverde's two-year ban from racing in Italy is extended worldwide.

The statement swiftly follows Tuesday's decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to dismiss Valverde's appeal against the suspension issued by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) last May.

CONI's anti-doping tribunal decided the Spaniard was involved in Operacion Puerto, a case in which more than 50 cyclists were linked to a doping ring centred on a clinic in Madrid.

DNA taken from Valverde during the Italian stage of the 2008 Tour de France matched blood seized in Operacion Puerto.

A statement released by the UCI read: 'The UCI has noted the ruling issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on the appeal of Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde against the decision of the Italian National Anti-doping Tribunal to suspend him from all sports events organised in Italy for a two-year period beginning in May 2009, for having breached the anti-doping rules in the context of 'Operation Puerto'.

'The UCI welcomes the decision of the CAS, which confirms the conclusions the UCI reached after conducting a thorough review of the documents relating to the Puerto case, and of Alejandro Valverde's involvement in it.

'Consequently, after careful study of the grounds of the CAS decision, the UCI expresses its determination to take the necessary measures to secure a suspension that is applicable internationally.'

Valverde has already revealed his intention to continue his career even if the UCI extend the ban.

The 29-year-old, who won the Vuelta a Espana last year, finished second in the Paris-Nice race on Sunday.

A statement issued by CAS today read: 'The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the appeal filed by the Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde against the decision of the National Olympic Committee of Italy (CONI) suspending him for two years from all sports events organised on Italian soil.

'As a consequence, the suspension remains in force until 10 May 2011.

'The CAS Panel considered that the CONI had jurisdiction to render the decision under appeal before the CAS and that the evidence analysed by the judicial authorities and used in the CONI proceedings was not only admissible but also relevant and could reasonably lead to the outcome determined by the CONI Anti-Doping Tribunal.

'Finally, the CAS Panel ruled that the sanction was proportionate to the violation of the CONI regulations by Alejandro Valverde.'