Alejandro Valverde's Uncertain 2010: To Suspend or Not to Suspend?

Alejandro Valverde, defending Vuelta a Espana champion and former world #1 cyclist, heads into the 2010 season with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over his head. Ever since his name was associated with blood bags seized in the Operacion Puerto debacle years ago, the Spaniard has been dogged by doping accusations.

Just last year the allegations took a more serious turn as Valverde was found guilty of doping by the CONI, and was then banned from competition in Italy. The ban still stands. Now, following Italy's lead, the WADA has opened proceeding against Valverde, proposing a two year worldwide ban for his involvement in Puerto.

Up to this point, Valverde has done a great job to ignore much of the controversy, and remain focused on racing his bike. He took his first grand tour title in his home country this past August, and he'll make his 2010 season debut just a few days from now at the Santos Tour Down Under. However, the noose seems to be closing around Valverde, as he'll face a date with the CAS on January 21 which will determine his eligibility for 2010 and beyond.

For most cycling fans, the Operacion Puerto investigation is ancient history. It has been so long since the incident that many in the cycling world would prefer to just move on. But for the governing bodies, justice is still being sought. If Valverde was in fact involved, these governing bodies believe that he should be held accountable.

Whether you're a fan of Valverde or not, you must grant that he should in fact be held accountable for his involvement in Operacion Puerto if he is found guilty of having been involved, which from the evidence it seems he was. A worldwide ban of two years seems appropriate, but as has been the case many times in the past, doping cases in the cycling world are far from a black and white affair.

As Alejandro Valverde continues to compete and we draw closer and closer to the new cycling season, it is more important than ever to once and for all come to a conclusion about whether he will be banned for the upcoming two years. Should he be allowed to race, and possibly win, a race like Leige-Bastogne-Leige, despite being a cheater would be an unacceptable situation for the sport of cycling. Hopefully CAS will uphold CONI's decision, and Alejandro Valverde will finally be held accountable for his actions from years ago.