Riders cleared for Vuelta

Blood tests, carried out routinely before all major Tours by cycling's governing body, the UCI (International Cycling Union), revealed no anomalies for the riders from the 21 teams taking part.

High haematocrite values, one parameter checked in the testing procedure, can be an indirect indication of doping practices.

"It's great we can start the race with no kind of nasty surprise or setback." race director Victor Cordero told Reuters.

"All the riders here in Malaga should be here in the right kind of conditions health-wise to race, and that's what we've seen is the case."

Spanish cycling has been overshadowed by doping scandals over the past few months, with Spain's Civil Guard uncovering a major doping ring in May.

As a consequence of their suspected implication in the ring, cyclists Jan Ullrich of Germany, Ivan Basso of Italy and Francisco Mancebo of Spain were all excluded from the Tour de France.

Last year's Tour of Spain winner Roberto Heras was stripped of a record fourth title after testing positive for EPO (erythropoietin).

Spaniard Oscar Laguna was also declared 'not apt' for racing before the 2005 Vuelta as a result of the pre-race tests and was not allowed to take part in any events for two weeks.

Spain's sports minister Jaime Lissavetzky said all those involved in this year's Vuelta were determined to see a "clean" race.

"The organisers and all the authorities involved in the fight against doping have shown their commitment to the cause. We hope it will be a clean Vuelta with no positives," he told reporters in Madrid.

"Any riders that use banned substances or methods will be caught and punished."

The Tour of Spain finishes in Madrid on September 17.