Riders cleared In Operación Puerto

[NickO'Time]

From Cyclingnews.com

Edited by Laura Weislo
Basso officially cleared in Operación Puerto

by Tim Maloney, European Editor and Gregor Brown

Today the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) officially shelved the investigation files regarding Ivan Basso's involvement in Operación Puerto. The FCI followed upon the recommendation made to them by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) on October 12, when Franco Cosenza, the anti-doping lawyer, ruled similarly. A statement today from the FCI's office in Roma read, "The commission, in light of the shelving from the Anti-doping lawyer CONI concerning Ivan Basso, after having examined the legal documents, arranged for the shelving of the procedure."

The official decision by the FCI disciplinary commission, backing CONI's earlier recommendation, means that Ivan Basso, winner of the 2006 Giro d'Italia, is free to race. "It's the right outcome," Basso's lawyer, Massimo Martelli, told the Associated Press. "More than being happy, we feel it was deserved." It is of note that rarely does the FCI re-open a case once it has been shelved. Ivan Basso was implicated in the Spanish Operación Puerto this last June and subsequently not allowed to start the Tour de France. Currently the Italian is looking for a new team after reaching an agreement to terminate his contract with Team CSC.

Whoa do you think these folks are trying to save the face of Pro Road Cycling? umm guys too late?
This means Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso are in the clear for now. UCI(Union Cycliste International) committee is fumming over this.