Alejandro Valverde winning the Worlds and now he says being asked about being banned from competition for two years after being linked by his DNA to blood doping sits less well with him (Photo: Sean Rowe)
New world champion Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) has said only the media is interested in his doping past. The 38-year-old served a two-year ban after being linked to blood doping. His ban commenced on January 1st, 2010, after DNA linked him to a bag of plasma.
It was uncovered among one of 211 bags of human blood and plasma as part of an inquiry - Operación Puerto - that emerged in 2006 into doctor Eufemiano Fuentes.
However, Valverde returned and he has enjoyed some of his best results since his return, despite being away for two years and subsequent bad crashes sidelining him for periods.
In an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, Valverde objected to being asked about his doping past.
He had also objected when cyclingnews asked him about it last week. Furthermore, when speaking to the cycling site Valverde described people who spoke of his past as “clueless”.
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And now in his interview with Marca he insisted that nobody in the peloton, only the media, was interested in raising the issue of his past.
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"It doesn't hurt me,” he said when asked by Marca if it did. “But I don't like it when people ask me about it, including you now.
"It's you guys (in the media), first and foremost, who give it weight. Anyone is free to write what they want. But in giving it weight you are playing along with that game."
And he insisted his rivals on the bike were not only pleased for him, but they support him. "I feel very well supported," he said. "My biggest rivals in the peloton are all extremely happy for me."
And he also believed cycling was in good health at present when it came to being clean: "It's very clear that today cycling is in great health."
He added he was busier now, but apart from that; winning the pro road race title in Innsbruck would not change him. "The rainbow jersey is not going to change me at this stage at 38 years old; and with all I've achieved.
"The only thing that has changed is the number of commitments, which is now treble. I'll have to learn to choose. I can’t be everywhere at once."
Asked if he was thinking of retiring, he said he would continue for at least another couple of years. "I'm going to think about Tokyo and then we'll see. But every career has a beginning and an end.”
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