Cycling news - Alejandro Valverde: 'I never tested positive'

Valverde, 38, was implicated in Operacion Puerto, a 2006 police raid on the disgraced doctor Eufemiano Fuentes.

The Spaniard was linked to one of the blood bags seized, and although initially cleared his DNA was later matched and he was given a two-year ban in June 2010 that was backdated and ended in 2011.

Valverde returned to cycling in 2012 with Movistar and has produced consistent performances, recently lifting the world title in Innsbruck but has rarely spoken about his ban.

“I don’t think the question is whether I have to regret something or not,” Valverde is reported as saying by Spanish outlet AS.

“I never returned a positive, but it was decided that I should be sanctioned and that’s what happened. I fulfilled the punishment and since then the only thing that has worried me is to enjoy cycling.

“Everyone can judge me as they see fit. But I’m aware that I have done everything possible to show that I not only won before, but after fulfilling my sanction I have been even better.”

Additional reporting from Reuters/Eurosport staff