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Disgraced US cyclist linked to Spain probe

Disgraced US cyclist Tyler Hamilton, whose two-year ban for blood doping ends next Friday, is now facing another investigation, USA Cycling said on Thursday.

A statement by the US federation said it had received information from the International Cycling Union (UCI) "regarding Tyler Hamilton and his alleged involvement in `Operation Puerto' along with a request to move forward with disciplinary action."

"Operation Puerto" was the Spanish doping affair that saw 13 riders, including Italian Ivan Basso, Germany's 1997 Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich and Spain's Francisco Mancebo suspended by their teams days before the start of the Tour de France because of their alleged implication.

The nature of Hamilton's alleged involvement was not specified by USA Cycling, but evidence from the ongoing probe suggested he spent more than 30,000 euros (US$38,000) on a doping program.

Hamilton has denied working with Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, who is central to the affair, but Spanish authorities claim they found several documents showing that Hamilton was one of Fuentes's best clients.

USA Cycling said on Thursday it had referred the matter to the US Anti-Doping Agency.

"We received a communication from the UCI today containing the `Operation Puerto' dossier for Mr Tyler Hamilton and a request to open disciplinary proceedings against him," said Steve Johnson, chief executive officer of USA Cycling.

"As required by our anti-doping regulations, we have forwarded the complete dossier to the US Anti-Doping Agency [USADA] and have asked them to adjudicate this case on our behalf," Johnson said.

Hamilton a former Phonak and CSC rider and the reigning Olympic time trial champion, had voiced a wish to return from his ban to compete in the world championships later this month, but had already been ruled out of the US team by USA Cycling.

Hamilton, also formerly of the retired Lance Armstrong's now defunct team, US Postal, was caught doping at the 2004 Tour of Spain after blood tests showed evidence of blood doping.

A dispute ensued over the validity of his Olympic gold medal, but he was allowed to keep the title after a second "B" sample was mishandled and rendered unsuitable for counter-analysis.

Hamilton denies allegations he injected another person's blood to improve his performance, and mounted an expensive legal defense and publicity campaign in an effort to have the ban overturned.
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