Doping case set to further tarnish cycling
January 25, 2013 -
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Lance Armstrong in a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey
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Just days after Lance Armstrong’s doping admission, cycling is set
for more damaging revelations when the long-delayed Operation Puerto
case finally goes to court in Spain. Seven years after Spanish
investigators uncovered one of cycling’s most sophisticated and
widespread doping networks, some of its central figures will stand trial
on Monday in Madrid’s Criminal Court.
The case, in which 35 witnesses are called to testify, is scheduled
to last until March 22. Judge Julia Santamaria will preside as five
defendants are tried. complex blood-doping ring that stained cycling’s
reputation in Europe. Also on trial will be Manolo Saiz, former ONCE and
Liberty Seguros team sports director, as well as Vicente Belda and
Ignacio Labarta, both associated with the former Kelme team.
Jose Luis Merino, another medical doctor, was also to be tried, but
Santamaria granted him a temporary stay on Thursday after he presented
medical reports stating he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Although no riders will sit in the dock, many are called to testify as
witnesses, including two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador.
- AP
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