Valverde wins Romandie, keeps winning against UCI.

//Valverde wins Romandie, keeps winning against UCI.

Valverde wins Romandie, keeps winning against UCI.

Valverde. Another win, another UCI failure.

Give the man credit: Alejandro Valverde knows how to win.

This weekend he took the overall victory in the Tour of Romandie, beating out Simon Spilak (Lampre-Farnese Vini) and Russian Denis Menchov (Rabobank).

Valverde also continuing his astonishing win streak over the UCI and their attempts to ban him globally for blood doping. In the last three years, the Caisse d’Epargne riders has earned nearly thirty podiums in major races while under a dark, Operacion Puerto cloud of suspicion.

Yes, the Spanish star has good legs and great lawyers. Even the recent ruling by CAS, which many thought gave the UCI legal cause for a two year global ban,  has lead to nothing. Valverde rides on and keeps on winning.

The endless rounds of trials, appeals, and legal battles with Italian authorities (CONI), the Court for Arbitration in Sport and a Swiss appeals court haven’t slowed him down. Valverde has amassed a win total during this time that would make a great career for most riders. No matter what happens to Valverde in the future, he’s already beaten the legal authorities a hundred times over. Chapeau, Valverde legal team.

Here are some Valverde quotes from the Tour of Romandie winner with a few Twisted Spoke translations.

“I’ve been able to take advantage of the good condition I had in the Classics, even if I am beginning to feel a little bit tired.” Translation: Man, that last CAS trial and testimony did drain me a little. But I’m still winning. I’m like the Teflon Don — nothing sticks to me.

“But that’s normal considering the fact that I am racing since January.” Translation: my lawyers kick butt. I’ve stalled legal proceedings for years. UCI President Pat McQuaid says I’m an embarrassment to cycling. Ha, he’s an embarrassment to governing. We slapped him silly.

“Now I will take a short break to rest with my family before starting training again to prepare the next objective, which should be the Dauphiné Libéré.” Translation: Even the French are scared of me now. They let me race Leige saying they’d wait for the next CAS ruling. I’ll appeal that until 2011.  I’m riding the Tour de France, baby!”

The helpless UCI, the non-governing body of the sport, will hand over another fat chunk of UCI points to Valverde for his Romandie win. One of his nicknames is El Imbatido, the Unbeaten. Who could possibly disagree with that?

By |2019-02-03T16:29:33-08:00May 2nd, 2010|Doping|4 Comments

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4 Comments

  1. Ian May 2, 2010 at 12:56 pm - Reply

    excellent again Matt – as always. you are rapidly becoming the best journo in cycling, certainly my favourite – loved the cav piece too.

    ian

    • walshworld May 2, 2010 at 8:52 pm - Reply

      Ian, you’re putting incredible pressure on me with that huge compliment. I’ll try to live up to it. It means a lot. Matt

  2. joepappillon May 2, 2010 at 1:31 pm - Reply

    Bravo! Well-said.

    Love this one:

    “But that’s normal considering the fact that I am racing since January.” Translation: my lawyers kick butt. I’ve stalled legal proceedings for years. UCI President Pat McQuaid says I’m an embarrassment to cycling. Ha, he’s an embarrassment to governing. We slapped him silly.

    • walshworld May 2, 2010 at 8:53 pm - Reply

      Joe, you should write on Valverde. Nobody else has your perspective and your viewpoint would be the most relevant. Matt

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