Spanish pro cycling team Movistar says rider Alejandro Valverde, who is banned for doping, has been stopped by the sport's governing body UCI from attending a team presentation ceremony presenting him as a new team member.

Movistar announced in a statement on its website that it is "in strong disagreement" with the UCI's decision but has canceled the presentation on Tuesday "to avoid any disciplinary measures."

Valverde, who won the 2009 Vuelta a Espana, is serving a two-year ban that expires in January 2012.

Italian anti-doping officials matched a blood sample taken from the Spanish cyclist during the 2008 Tour de France with a blood bag containing EPO that was found in a Madrid clinic during Operation Puerto.