Decision delayed in Valverde doping row

The Spanish rider is already serving a two-year suspension in Italy for alleged links to the notorious Operation Puerto doping scandal.

Cycling's ruling body, the UCI, and anti-doping authority WADA, believe a worldwide ban should be handed down, but CAS said the matter was outside its jurisdiction.

"The panel considered that the requests filed by UCI and WADA to suspend Alejandro Valverde world-wide for a period of two years could not be entertained by the CAS given that they were outside the scope of the present arbitration procedure (validity or not of the suspension of Valverde on Italian soil)," said a CAS statement.

The organisation added that a final decision is not expected before March.

Valverde will lead his Caisse d’Epargne team at the upcoming Tour Down Under.