Alejandro Valverde is fit enough to make the world road race championships later this month and has been selected for the Spanish squad, the Spanish Cycling Federation's coach said Tuesday.

"I've spoken to him and I think he'll be in the best possible condition," said coach Paco Antequera, who said Valverde's indubitable will to win was an additional factor in his decision.

Valverde, who rides for Illes Balears, missed the Vuelta a España following a bad knee injury suffered in the Tour de France, where he won a stage.

His presence will cheer a Spanish formation already shorn of three-time world champion Oscar Freire, who is injured.

The 25-year-old Valverde finished third in the 2003 Vuelta and is considered a major up-and-coming talent as Spain scours the country for a racer who can fill, at least in part, the shoes of five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain, who retired in 1996.

"He is a rider who has always stood up and been counted and will have an opportunity to race in the world's," said Antequera, who regards Valverde as a pillar of his squad.

Schumacher acquitted in doping case
German rider Stefan Schumacher has been acquitted of using the banned stimulant Cathin, the German Cycling Federation (BDR) confirmed on Wednesday.

Shimano rider Schumacher, 23, tested postive for Cathin during the Tour of Rheinland-Pfalz in May but claimed it was used to treat an allergy and not to enhance performance.

Cathin is one of the banned substances listed by the UCI.

Schumacher has always protested his innocence, which seemed to be supported by the fact he consulted the Dutch anti-doping agency about the product before taking it, and they told him he would be safe as it was not on the UCI's banned list.

Schumacher won the Rheinland-Pfalz Tour and four of the five stages but lost the overall victory. He may now appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to have his victory reinstated.