Alejandro Valverde – the ‘Green Bullet’ – was a symbol of Spanish sport. Supremely talented, hard-working beyond belief, he was ranked no.1 in the world four times before retiring in 2022. He is a champion of undeniable charisma and immense achievement – and yet also a convicted doping cheat. Appearing in a list of encoded names, Valverde was one of many at the heart of a doping ring for elite sportsmen. Discovered by Spanish police in the infamous Operacion Puerto, the revelations contained in the operation threatened to rip cycling apart. Shrouded in secrets still, and committed to his silence, Valverde’s story shows corruption at the heart of the cycling world, from politicians, doctors, businessmen – all after one thing – success. And the money that comes with it.