UCI code KEL Disbanded 2006 (2006) Founded 1980 | Registered Spain Discipline Road | |
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1980–1981
1982
1983–1984
1985
1986–1989
1990–1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998–2003
2004
2005
2006 Kelme-Gios
Kelme-Merckx
Kelme
Kelme-Merckx
Kelme
Kelme-Ibexpress
Kelme-Don Cafe
Kelme-Xacobeo
Kelme-Avianca-Gios
Kelme-Sureña
Kelme-Artiach
Kelme-Costa Blanca-Eurosport
Kelme-Costa Blanca
Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme
Comunidad Valenciana-Elche
Comunidad Valenciana | ||
History
In 1979, Kelme sponsored the mountains classification in the Vuelta a España. The owners of Kelme were not satisfied with the publicity that this gave, so they decided to sponsor a cycling team instead.
The Kelme team was formed from another Spanish cycling team, named Transmallorca in 1980. From 2004 cycling season Valencian government took the main sponsorship, Kelme becoming co-sponsor, finally dropping from the team at the end of the year. Despite this, team kept on running, but its days were numbered when on 20 August 2006, because of doping allegations on Operacion Puerto, Valencian government dropped its sponsorship. This was to become the last year for the oldest team in the peloton. The last couple of years, it was managed by Vicente Belda, former cyclist who was riding for the team from 1980 to 1988. Famous former riders included Alejandro Valverde, Roberto Heras, Aitor González, Oscar Sevilla, Ángel Casero and Fernando Escartín. Team's major results include wins in the Vuelta a España 2 times: in 2000 by Roberto Heras and Aitor González back in 2002.
Doping Controversy
In March 2004 in an exclusive interview with the Spanish newspaper As, the former Kelme cyclist Jesús Manzano exposed the systematic doping in the team. During the interview he detailed blood doping as well as the various performance-enhancing drugs he used while on the team. Immediately the Kelme team denied the allegations and Jean-Marie Leblanc the director of the Tour de France was also sceptical about the allegations. After more detailed revelations, the Kelme team who had been invited to the 2004 Tour de France had their invite withdrawn.
The subsequent investigation into his doping activities and the allegations he made led to the questioning of several members of the Kelme team in April 2004. These included Eufemiano Fuentes who was at that time the current Kelme team doctor, Walter Virú the team doctor before Fuentes, and Alfredo Córdova who was working for Liberty Seguros but was involved with Kelme in 2003. An investigation began into the practises of Fuentes in early 2006 by Central Operating Unit, the anti-drug trafficking arm of the Spanish Guardia Civil. In May 2006, several arrests were made. Manzano's statements had led directly to the development of this investigation. In June 2007 Manzano claimed that Alejandro Valverde doped with testosterone during the 2002 Vuelta a España.