PtG Article 01.06.2010

Alejandro Valverde banned

Alejandro Valverde has been stripped of his No1 world ranking after a request for sanctions by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) was upheld by sport's highest court.

By: Play the Game

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) ordered the 30-year-old Spaniard to be banned retroactively from 1 January, 2010 until the 2012 season starts but allowed him to keep his 2009 Spanish Vuelta victory.

However, Valverde and his advisors later issued a statement saying they would contest the verdict.

"We consider that sanction totally unjust and illegal and for that reason we communicate that we will appeal that sanction in front of the Federal Supreme Court (Tribunal) of Switzerland, which decisions can be appealed in front of the European Court of Human Rights," read a statement.

SOURCE: guardian.co.uk