'Doping whistleblower' Manzano missing?

procycling | Fear for whereabouts of Manzano

Former Kelme rider Jesus Manzano hasn't been seen or heard from for at least several days.

Manzano's claims of doping encouraged and organized by his Kelme team led Tour organizers to ban Kelme (now Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) from this year's Tour de France.

After his allegations, Manzano signed on with Italy's Amore e Vita team, but the team director has been unable to contact Manzano.

Recognising that Manzano was going through “a very difficult period”, Fanini raised the possibility that something tragic may have occurred. “I’m very worried because of the death threats Manzano received repeatedly after his decision to break the wall of silence that surrounds cycling.”

Fanini added: “I hope my fears are unfounded and I trust the Spanish authorities will do what they can to find out what has happened to Manzano.”

Update 7/8/04: cyclingnews.com quotes Europa Press that Manzano is fine, but laying low. Manzano says he's trying to get an injured knee into shape, and that his girlfriend Marina is pregnant.