Mountain biker's death treated as suicide

Spanish former mountain biker Alberto Leon was found dead yesterday near Madrid.

The 37-year-old, who retired from the sport in 2001, had last month been implicated along with 13 others in the ’Operacion Galgo’ doping investigation in sport.

Local police confirmed: “Alberto Leon was found dead yesterday in San Lorenzo del Escorial (near Madrid). We are treating the death as a suicide.

“The autopsy will be carried out today.”

Last month, 14 people, including Leon, world steeplechase champion Marta Dominguez and doctors, pharmacists, trainers and coaches, were questioned by the Spanish civil guard as part of the widespread anti-doping probe dubbed ’Operation Galgo’.

Leon was also implicated in the 2006 ’Operation Puerto’ doping case in cycling.