Spain is beginning its trial of Eufemiano Fuentes, of Operation Puerto fame and later detailed in the tell all book by Tyler Hamilton. He’s been accused of running an one of the largest sports doping rings in the world. In May 2006 his offices were raided by Spanish police where they found around 200 bags of blood that were later linked to many top cyclists and athletes in other sports. They were labeled with code names for each. The trial is expected to focus primarily on cycling and Alberto Contador is said to be among those testifying.
The trial will be in Madrid where many cyclists have been called to testify. Fuentes, 3 former cycling coaches and his sister have been charged with breaking public health laws. Spain has had some of the most relaxed doping laws in western Europe. In 2006 there were no anti-doping laws so he could not be charged with breaking a law that didn’t exist.
The trial is expected to last until mid-March.
If found guilty, the defendants could face up to two years in prison and a two-year professional ban. Among his clients were Ivan Basso, Jan Ullrich, Tyler Hamilton, Beloki and Scarponi.
Fuentes started in the 1980s
