Spanish Federation Wants Cycling Probe Records

An RFEC spokesman declined to confirm the report and said the federation may publish an official statement on its website (www.rfec.com).

The Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) has asked authorities for records and test results relating to the recently reopened Operation Puerto probe into an alleged doping ring, sports newspaper As reported on Tuesday.

The federation has requested blood test results and documentation from a Madrid court and is looking to punish cyclists and technical staff implicated in the investigation, As said, without identifying the source of its information.

An RFEC spokesman declined to confirm the report and said the federation may publish an official statement on its website (www.rfec.com).

However, a source close to the matter, who declined to be named for legal reasons, told Reuters: "I can confirm that the Spanish federation are to ask for the Operation Puerto records."

The investigation was originally launched in the spring of 2006 when raids uncovered anabolic steroids, blood transfusion equipment and more than 200 code-named blood bags, some of which were linked to leading riders.

Police listed more than 50 athletes, including former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich, Tour of Spain winner Roberto Heras and Giro d'Italia winner Ivan Basso.

The probe was twice halted without any prosecutions but a Madrid court last month ordered it be reopened after considering various appeals.

Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde appeared before an anti-doping hearing in Rome last week after being accused by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) of involvement in the Operation Puerto scandal.

Valverde's lawyer, Federico Cecconi, said the Caisse D'Epargne rider, who topped the world rankings last year, had repeated his innocence.