Contador won't testify in trial

Madrid - Former Tour de France winner Alberto Contador will not testify at the "Operacion Puerto" trial in defence of Manolo Sainz, his former manager at the Liberty Seguros cycling team, the defendant's lawyer confirmed on Tuesday.

Sainz is on trial along with four others, including the principal accused Eufemiano Fuentes, for endangering public health by sanctioning blood transfusions.

"Looking at how the process is developing, I will not call Alberto Contador as a witness," Ignacio Arroyo told reporters.

Contador was due to testify on Friday, but Arroyo claimed his decision not to call the Spaniard was a sign that the case was going well for his client.

"Looking at how things are developing every day during the case, I believe that certain things are on the right path with respect to my client."

On Monday the court heard that the doping substance Synacthen found in his residence when he was arrested along with Fuentes in 2006 was in fact given to the team by the Spanish Medical Agency.

In another twist in the trial, though, the judge, Julia Patricia Santamara, confirmed that another cyclist due to testify on Friday, Angel Vicioso, cannot be located.