19 yo French rider suspended. But what were those "12 substances" and what do they do?

Well the media (and most bloggers!) beat these things up and the drug testers don't really explain it very well, so it looks like this young club-level athlete took "everything". And he did take a fair bit. But to be fair what he took was probably only 3, maybe 4 separate drugs, not the widely misinterpreted and reported "12". OK, at worst 7.

The drug testers reportedly found multiple "substances" but many of these are simply the same thing, metabolites or derivatives of the one drug. We can't even be sure why he took this particular selection. He may have been injured, had allergies or was simply misguided. It may not have even worked. It's hard to know what the effects of any drug cocktail may be. Some drugs are enhanced in effectiveness by a small quanity of other drugs but some are blocked and rendered ineffective. And some may be deliberate masking agents. But what are these particular drugs and what do they do, generally speaking?

The "drugs" as reported in Cyclingnews.com are:

3'HydroxyStanozolol - a metabolite of Stanozolol, an anabolic steroid. It builds new and repairs damaged muscle. Stanozolol is difficult to detect in standard urine tests and is prone to sedimentation (so samples left to settle will stratify and give contradictory results). Metabolites are simply downstream indicators of a drug that has been metabolised. This counts as drug #1 - Stanozolol. It has been widely used in many sports for performance enhancement.

16B-HydroxyStanozolol - the main metabolite of Stanozolol. Again still just one drug so far.

4B-HydroxyStanozolol - yet another metabolite of Stanozolol.

4-Meyhylhexaneamine (sic) - well actually it's spelled Methylhexaneamine, or methylhexanenamine, or even dimethylamylamine - a vasoconstrictor, usually inhaled (but can be a dietary supplement). That's to say that its prime use is for nasal decongestion. It helps you breathe easier. It is also a central nervous system stimulant, so it probably sharpens you up and possibly helps burn fat. It too has been widely used in many sports for performance enhancement. That's drug 2, if you are counting.

Prednisone - a synthetic glucocorticosteroid that is typically used an an immunosuppressive drug. Whilst that is an unwanted side effect for athletes, it also alleviates allergic reactions and inflammation, so it helps you train longer and harder - in theory. However it has several major adverse side effects, including glaucoma, bone and muscle loss (it's catabolic, not anabolic) as well as thinning of the skin; so the positive effects may be outweighed in the medium to longer term, especially so if you get the dose wrong. It breaks down into cortisol and gives you a feeling of anger at higher doses, so perhaps that may help give an athlete an edge. Just don't take too much for too long.  Drug number 3.   

Prednisolone - a variant of Prednisone, virtually identical in all but name and chemical structure. Still just 3 drugs.

Oxandrolone - also known as Anavar or Oxandrin, a fairly common anabolic steroid with fewer side effects than most. Builds or heals muscle and thus potentiates mass and power. Drug 4 and the second anabolic steroid. Removes itself quickly, too, so can be hard to catch.

Epioxandrolone - a metabolite of Oxandrolone, so we are still on 4 drugs so far.

Tuaminoheptane - another nasal decongestant, like Methylhexaneamine. May have been mixed in the same batch, I don't know. We'll count it as #5 anyway.

Triamcinolone Acetonide - well now it gets interesting because here we have another corticosteroid (a catabolic steroid, not anabolic). Again it can be used to treat allergies, asthma and rashes and is used as a nasal spray or perhaps more often topically. We don't know how it was applied in this case but perhaps it was in the nasal spray(s) already mentioned? Or perhaps our rider suffered skin allergies and applied it as a cream? Side effects can be bad. Reluctantly #6 but I have some doubts.

6Beta-HydroxyMethandienone - an anabolic steroid that I don't know much about - although I suspect it has a relationship with testosterone. Again, reluctantly, let's call it #7.

17-Epiméthandienone - dare I suggest that this is a metabolite of 6Beta-HydroxyMethandienone? Let's just call it 7.

So we have 7 drugs, really, in 3 groups: anabolic and catabolic steroids plus a selection of nasal decongestants. And we can't be sure how many of these were bundled into one nasal spray. We can however deduce from all of this that we have a rider who took a bundle of anabolic steroids to either build himself up or to heal an injury. He also took corticosteroids, probably both topically and by tablet, either to relieve his allergies or other inflammation, possibly training or injury-related. He may also be asthmatic, or he just wanted to breathe easier in a race.  

I doubt that he's that remarkable, really, and I'd really like to know the full truth of his story. Was he just naive, a bit misguided or simply taking things a bit too far?


French Rider Positive For 12 Substances | Cyclingnews.com

The French Cycling Federation FFC has announced a three-year suspension for Alexandre Dougnier, who tested positive for no less than 12 different performance-enhancing substances last year. The 19-year-old, who rode with local club AC Boulogne-Billancourt, was caught by surprise at a Kermesse race in Aubervilliers, France, on May 17, 2011.

Traces of the following substances were found in Dougnier's urine sample, according to the Federation: 3'HydroxyStanozolol, 16B-HydroxyStanozolol, 4B-HydroxyStanozolol, 4-Meyhylhexaneamine, Prednisone, Prednisolone, Oxandrolone, Epioxandrolone, Tuaminoheptane, Triamcinolone Acetonide, 6B-HydroxyMethandienone and 17-Epiméthandienone.

the muse-ette: In for a penny....

While the sheer number of substances makes this an almost farcical story, coming as it does in the wake of the Gregory Bauge case it makes you wonder if French cycling's much vaunted no doping culture is starting to come apart at the seams. Dougnier was only racing at a local level but ACBB is a big club with a big reputation. Was he playing the system or was it playing him?

The report doesn't give any details of how much of each substance was in his sample, or how they all got into his system. Do they all occur in one product or was this guy on a cocktail of medicines?

Performance enhancement via UV light. Or quackery that gets people into trouble?

Unconfirmed but interesting. What exactly does the UV light do to the blood? Presumably it increases its ability to hold oxygen, or masks other agents - but whether it actually is worth the trouble - who knows? It is suggested that used in small doses (sometimes in concert with magnetism!) it "may" have a positive effect on endurance. Perhaps. Part of the "logic" relies on the principle of altitude training, where not only is the air thinner but the UV is higher. Whilst I get the thinner air hypothesis I'm not sure about the benefits of excessive UV, unless you have a vitamin D insufficiency. And you need the UV to hit the skin, surely, rather than the blood?

Black Light Blood Treatments In Germany? | Cyclingnews.com

A doctor at the Olympic training camp in Erfurt is said to have carried out the procedure.

According to the taz.de, a doctor identified only as Andreas F. was suspended by the Olympic committee and has been under investigation since April 2011. The Olympic camp is for speed skaters, cyclists and track and field athletes.

Public prosecutors in Erfurt are investigating whether the doctor was involved in the “illegal use of medical procedures for the purpose of doping,” spokesman Hannes Grüneisen said. The doctor refused to comment on the matter to the newspaper.

Canadian Agreda confesses EPO use before before being 'caught out'

One out, all out. Well someone got nervous anyway, or at least their conscience was pricked after teammate Papillon was caught.

What's interesting is that this positive test - coming after the confession - was conducted at the Quebec Provincial RR champs. Not sure of the exact chronology here but there is increasing evidence of drug testers targeting likely offenders and turning up appropriately. I doubt they'll make it down to a club crit but who knows? One day?  

Canadian Cycling Confirms Agreda EPO Positive | Cyclingnews.com

The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) confirmed today that Miguel Agreda, who already confessed to taking the banned blood booster EPO, tested positive for the substance at the Québec Provincial Road Race Championships. He was given a two-year ban and is cut off from any future funding by Sport Canada.

Longo case dismissed on a French legal technicality - and life goes on

As I've said recently, she's a remarkable athlete to have maintained such a high standard for so many decades. In many ways the bike lends itself to longevity, so there should be no real surprise there, although 53 would be pushing the upper limit, surely? I'm 54 and - whilst I never reached the highest levels of the sport anyway - I have only been able to maintain perhaps 80% of my admittedly limited "form" at best. Given my crumbling body it's staggering that Longo can still win national titles against younger competitors. Whilst I can imagine luckier, smarter, better and simply more consistent riders than myself still achieving great open and elite results whilst over 50 it can't be easy.

Given the temptation for an aging athlete to 'maintain the rage' as it were it's also no surprise to see accusations and assumptions being made when these tests were missed. And it is good to see due process followed and justice served. So to fall flat on a technicality is both 'just' and disappointing as well. It's a clear result - but one that really doesn't satisfy. But after all these were missed tests, not failed tests. And that's life.  

Jeannie Longo's Doping Charges Dismissed | Cyclingnews.com

AFLD didn't notify Frenchwoman she was still eligible for testing

Jeannie Longo was cleared today of any doping violations regarding three missed out-of-competition anti-doping tests. The disciplinary committee of the French Cycling Federation (FFC) ruled that the 53-year-old Longo, the 1996 Olympic road race gold medalist and 13-time world champion, was no longer on the list of athletes subject to testing by the French anti-doping agency (AFLD), therefore she was not responsible for missing any out-of-competition tests.

63 year old US Master rider suspended for refusing out of competition doping test

Now you could jump to a quick conclusion here and suspect that he had something to hide - or perhaps he simply took offence at the whole idea. Which is unlikely given we all sign on the dotted line for testing when we renew a race licence... OTOH at 63 he may have been taking all manner of otherwise legal drugs - as many non-racers do - and not bothered to get a medical clearance from his doctor. Laziness rather than outright cheating, as it were.

Or, as at least one person has suggested, he got a bit boastful about getting away with in and was "dobbed in". Take your pick.

USADA Bans Masters Rider | Cyclingnews.com

USADA has suspended master rider Michael Diamond for two years after the American refused to submit to a doping control.

“On October 8, 2011, Diamond, 63, refused to submit a sample when notified by a doping control officer during an out-of-competition test,” a USADA press release read.

Florida masters racer, 63, accepts doping suspension

USADA said Diamond refused to submit a sample on October 8. According to the USA Cycling website, Diamond, racing unattached, finished fifth that day in the Florida time trial championships.

In addition to the suspension from competition, Diamond is also disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to that date.

Florida masters racer, 63, accepts doping suspension

(Joe Papp, or someone claiming to be...) This absolutely happens all the time (riders bragging aloud about their doping or feeling out others in the search for information or access). USADA takes even these situations seriously and if you're a believer in drug-free sport and someone asks you about how they can dope effectively or brags about how they've already done so, you're not obligated to enable them and should notify USADA - if you put your money where your mouth is and really are so concerned about dope-free cycling. At least someone in Florida actually manned-up and didn't just complain on an internet forum. Bravo.

US-based Argentine elite cyclist pinged for anabolics and amps

Just for the record... another offender, if you keep track of these things...

The anabolic agents, presumably steroids, build and rebuild muscle, helping power and recovery - and the amphetamines are a pick-me-up that gets you going. Perfect for bike racing I guess. Unless you get caught.

Dotti Suspended By USADA For Doping | Cyclingnews.com

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced today that Juan Pablo Dotti, of Duluth, Georgia, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and has accepted a suspension for his doping violation.

The 27-year-old, a native of Argentina, tested positive for an anabolic agent and amphetamine on June 12, 2011 in the final stage of the three-day Tulsa Tough in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dotti, racing for the elite amateur Aerocat Cycling Team, finished second on the Riverview Criterium stage and placed sixth overall.

Canadian U23 road champion admits EPO use

This case ticks the expected boxes. Talented young athlete out to prove himself, lofty expectations, comeback after serious injury. We may not all be talented to this degree but the temptation remains to boost our performance, even more so after an injury. We are all driven in some way to achieve our potential - and it can be difficult to resist taking "shortcuts". Indeed in many ways it makes sense to use whatever is available to heal quicker or to overcome a setback and simply get back to where you "were". Or go one better. We would do that in "normal" life, after all. But on the playing fields of organised sport it's deemed a transgression against fairness - and ethically, it's called cheating.

Canadian Papillon Suspended For EPO | Cyclingnews.com

2010 Canadian under 23 road champion Arnaud Papillon was given a two-year suspension by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) after admitting to doping, it was announced today.

The CCES stated that two of Papillon's samples from this year's Canadian Championships, one taken during competition and one outside competition, were found positive for EPO. Papillon took second in the espoir category in the men's road race.

EPO accusations: Longo, Papp, her husband, his admission and their denials

OK, so Papp has admitted selling EPO and other drugs to many, many riders. And then the amazing Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli misses a date (or 3) with the whereabouts cops. That's not good. And then Papp implicates Longo's husband - and then they both deny, deny, deny. As you would. And they are - indeed - unproven allegations. And - again - she has not been caught in a drug test either. So some of this is just hearsay. Interesting hearsay though.

I have always admired Longo - and her now long-retired arch-rival Maria Canins for that matter. (Longo and Canins dominated women's bike racing for so long. Epic stuff worth looking up.) Longo's about my age (which is really quite young in an older kind of way) and yet has kept at a ridiculously high level for what seems an inordinate number of years. She has just kept going (whereas I never reached my peak and have declined steadily ever since). Good on her. But there are many who would see this longevity and sustained high-level performance as a sign of possible "cheating". No-one would deny that she has a remarkable record. I wonder what her biological passport could tell us?

Aside from all of that, what Longo-Ciprelli actually has to answer here is why she messed up her whereabouts. Does she have a good enough excuse (unlike Chicken Rasmussen)? Interesting also that she reportedly doesn't use or own either a mobile phone or a laptop. (Wonder if by 'laptop' the journos mean 'PC', or does she have one or more of those?) I imagine the point is that she wouldn't be able to readily update her whereabouts given her "secluded lifestyle". Mind you, that's her choice and she has to work around that, doesn't she?

Sad it may be, especially if it ends her career so badly - but as the cliche goes, rules are rules...

Papp Reportedly Sold EPO To Longo's Husband | Cyclingnews.com

Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli​, who has an incredible 59 national and 13 world titles to her name, has become entangled in a headline grabbing doping investigation. Just a few days after it was announced that she failed to provide appropriate information on her whereabouts three times within 18 months, risking a two-year suspension, reports in French newspaper L'Equipe suggest that Longo-Ciprelli's husband and coach bought EPO via the internet.

Papp Pleads Guilty To Distributing Drugs | Cyclingnews.com

Joe Papp, an elite-level cyclist who testified for the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in the 2007 Floyd Landis case, pleaded guilty today in a Pittsburgh federal court to two counts of conspiracy to distribute performance enhancing drugs.

Longo In Hot Water With AFLD | Cyclingnews.com

French veteran risks suspension after missed doping control

Jeannie Longo may have ridden her last professional bike race, after the French Cycling Federation (FFC) announced its intention to start a disciplinary procedure for twice giving insufficient whereabouts information and once missing a doping control earlier in the year.

NY Times labels cycling as 'most linked' to drugs. It's an opinion but what about weightlifting, baseball, football...

OK, it's just an opinion piece - and largely a positive one about cycling cleaning up its act - but why do the authors make these sort of value judgements? Upon what research is cycling deemed to be top of the heap here? And yes, I know it gets said a lot - but why? Because the mass media itself repeats and encourages it? Because cycling is a fringe sport that doesn't bite back? Because of Landis, Hamilton and Armstrong? Because cycling publicises its own infringements rather than hiding them?

Anyway, here's the NYT quote and link:

More than any other sport, bicycling has been linked to drugs. Podium finishers in nearly every Tour over at least the last two decades have failed drug tests, admitted to doping or been linked to high-profile investigations.

As I said, it's mostly positive. It just grates a bit when I know that most cyclists who have obtained PEDs have in my admittedly limited experience got them through other sports people, usually via contacts in a gym. Whilst many of the highest-profile infringements and legal pursuits have indeed been of cyclists, what about the equally infamous drug busts related to football, baseball and athletics? Did they get their PEDs via cyclists, as you may imagine from the anti-cycling hype? Not to my knowledge, no. 

Indeed it's common enough knowledge that for many casual users looking for steroids and other 'help' the trail often starts with a conversation at a gym. It's as logical as going to a dodgy doctor, another anecdotal yet 'logical' approach. More recently the internet has gained some credence as a source, too. And whilst I have nothing more than anecdotal evidence for all of this I can't see any solid evidence that things have greatly changed. It may be more organised than 20 years ago, less haphazard. But it surely affects all sports and especially those cashed-up ones. Gyms are full of sports people of various codes who want to build up and maintain muscular strength or recover from injury. That doesn't mean that gyms are in on the whole thing, just that they are logical points of first contact, nothing more. If we are going to label cyclists in particular as 'most bad' then let's actually do the hard yards first and investigate the number and depth of penetration across all sports. Please.  

Cross Country Olympic skier and EPO user Mika Myllyla found dead

A sad passing, but a reminder also that any athlete in any sport can be tempted to use PEDs. Whilst we should not pre-judge the causes here, it should be remembered that having decided to go after athletes that we have labelled as "cheat" we also need to consider their longer-term physical and mental health. Some sort of post-ban rehabilitation program may be required, although an alternative - as unpalatable as it may be to some - is simply to legalise PEDs and control their use. I doubt that will happen anytime soon but ultimately it may be the inevitable outcome of ever more generally accepted genetic and pharmaceutical advances. If the general public continues to pop pills and accept virally-delivered genetic patches to improve function and longevity then the "purity" of the "cheater" label becomes somewhat blurred, doesn't it?    

Disgraced Olympic champion found dead in apartment

HELSINKI: The Finnish cross-country skier Mika Myllyla, who won gold at the Nagano Olympics in 1998, was found dead at his home on Tuesday, police announced. He was 41.

Disgraced Olympic champion found dead in apartment

he won nine world championship medals including four golds; three of them at Ramsau in 1999 at 10km, 30km and 50km.

Myllala then tested positive in 2001 for hydroxyethl starch, a masking agent for the banned blood booster EPO.

In June this year he gave a sworn statement during a court case that he had indeed used EPO during the 1990s.

The "Sven S" EPO accusation - or be careful who you employ part-time

Your part-time and casual staff are as important as any of your full-time permanent staff members - they have to be just as well trained and just as fully integrated into your organisation. It says so in your HR policy guidelines, surely? Umm. Ahhh. Yes.

Of course it rarely works that way, does it? Part-time, casual staff are simply pulled in to fill a hole in a roster, often with little warning. They rarely get the time to do all of the training and induction - or simply forget it shortly thereafter - and have inevitably missed something important whilst they were elsewhere doing whatever they do when they aren't working for you. That's reality. And it works both ways - they may not know you very well and you may not know them very well either. Which if they are accused of dealing in EPO could be a problem, couldn't it?  

BMC To Investigate Schoutteten Doping Accusations | Cyclingnews.com

The BMC team has announced it will take immediate action to investigate what involvement part-time soigneur Sven Schoutteten might have had with riders and staff during his interaction with the team.

Schoutteten is alleged to be part of a doping investigation in Belgium that stems from 2009. Customs officials in Liege airport discovered a package containing 195 vials of the banned blood boosting drug EPO.

BMC Soigneur Implicated In Drug Investigation | Cyclingnews.com

A BMC soigneur has been arrested after a long-running investigation into his connection with a shipment of drugs seized at Brussels airport in 2009. The investigation has taken 18 months and ultimately led to the arrest of 'Sven S.' according to Belgium newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. Several other media have reported that the package contained 200 doses of EPO.

Cryotherapy - not new but could it be the "drug" of choice in a PED-free world?

OK, so it's not a drug. It's not ingested. And it's "natural", as in you could achieve a similar effect with ice. But is it ethical?

In a "perfect" sporting world there would only be sports-specific training and nutrition that brought you to your peak condition and fitness to race. There would be no difference between brands of clothing or bicycle, or no difference that offered a measurable performance advantage, anyway. There would be no adjunct treatment that modified your body, and thus your performance. There would be no oxygen tent to assist in acclimatising to altitude without having to actually train at altitude. There would be no performance enhancing drugs to boost (or perhaps restrain) specific physiological processes. There would just be you and the work you do to make yourself "peak". Simple, but do you agree?

No, of course not everyone agrees. It's rare to find agreement on any of this in any sport - and we often find huge variations between neighbouring nations and their attitudes to specific performance-enhancers. Often it's pragmatism that gets in the way of a global agreement. Perhaps for some it's expensive and inconvenient to travel to a mountainous region so we relax our "perfect" attitude to allow for artificial oxygen-reduced simulations of altitude training. Whereas a nation that has plenty of high mountain passes may take a dimmer view of altitude simulation and ban it. And we may thus allow ice-baths and compression clothing and a myriad of small but significant variations in technology for reasons of self-interest or pragmatism. We accept that it may make our sport more expensive and lock out some competition, at least until they can reproduce the effect.

In some ways we (and that means the UCI in this instance) take arms against this sea of trouble and restrict the design envelope; and yet some people - quite reasonably - say that these very restrictions hold back much-wanted technological advances. So there's a constant tension between increasing the cost, complexity and technology involved through performance-related innovation and that opposing need to keep the sporting playing field somewhat "level".

Thus it is with PEDs - the drugs that may allow you to boost performance in specific ways and work-around the limitations of our bodies. Now we allow some PEDs as a social necessity (eg caffeine) and others for health reasons (eg drugs to provide limited relief from inflammation or pain) but others we just ban outright without a threshold. Ostensibly we do this to control the practice and limit potentially dangerous overuse, and to avoid "cheating", where an athlete unnaturally boosts their abilities beyond the "natural" threshold and gains a secret advantage over their competitors. It's deemed unfair.

It's that "unfairness" around which the whole argument swings. We either ban unfair practices or accept them, depending upon our judgement of the facts as they are perceived.

Of course by announcing openly that you are investing in cryotherapy you remove the secrecy, but does it make it ethical? Is it fair? Or is it just another thread in our expensive cycle-sport arms race?      

AG2R Using Cryotherapy For Tour De France | Cyclingnews.com

The French team AG2R-La Mondiale will use cryotherapy to help enhance recovery during the Tour de France, the squad announced today.

Riders will endure three minutes in a special whole body suit, pioneered by Tec4H, which is filled with liquid nitrogen at -150 degrees Celsius.

Cold is said to aid recovery and reduce inflammation, and riders have traditionally taken ice baths to help recuperate from intense efforts. However, the short blast of extreme cold in the new suits, which cover the entire body from neck to ankle, has other benefits, explained the team's medical director Eric Bouvat.

2-years-off birthday present for EPO user Muto

Nice to get something expensive and thoughtful on your birthday, isn't it? As we effectively end Muto's pro cycling career for apparent cheating bear in mind that lawyers, actors and politicians are amongst a larger segment of our population who are not targeted for PEDs during their working lives. Is that because they are less important or have less impact on our society? 

Muto's B Sample Also Positive For EPO | Cyclingnews.com

Pasquale Muto's B-sample has also tested positive for EPO, the Italian Olympic Committee has announced. The Miche-Guerciotti rider had tested positive during the Giro dell'Appennino in April.

Muto, whose 31st birthday is today, now faces a two-year suspension. He had finished fifth in the race at which he tested positive.

Nothing to do with cycling but I feel like a break - Pete Townshend mucking about with loops in a DAW

OK, it's not really about Dopage but maybe waaaay back in the 60s and 70s... and possibly the 80s... there's a link. Point is that we don't like to see "performance enhancement" in our sports but don't mind it so much (generally speaking) in other professions. Is it hypocrisy? I'll think about it.

This vid is funny, especially if you know the guy is chief creator at the Who. I can't really see Mick and Keef mucking about in their home studio like this, but in contrast Townshend has done it the geeky muso "hands on" way since at least the late 60's.

And a DAW? Digital Audio Workstation. He's using Ableton Live here (I use Live Lite and can vouch for its capabilities even in cut-back form. Anyway, it's an interesting insight into how one 66 year old rocker (or mod, rather) has adapted to the digital world.

What George is reported to have told the FDA. And what about the rest of the team?

Well if true it does rule Hincapie out of this year's TdF, surely? He not only saw Armstrong take PEDs but he and Lance "supplied" each other and "discussed" having taken testosterone. I'm sure there's a lot more to come...  there's a whole peleton of suspects out there waiting to have their say.

Report: Hincapie Tells FDA Armstrong Took PEDs | Cyclingnews.com

The news agency AP has reported that George Hincapie (BMC) has informed the FDA that he witnessed Lance Armstrong use performance enhancing drugs.

Report: Hincapie Tells FDA Armstrong Took PEDs | Cyclingnews.com

CBS News has also reported that, "Hincapie testified that he and Armstrong supplied each other with the endurance-boosting substance EPO and discussed having used another banned substance, testosterone, to prepare for races."

Ekimov to take the 2004 Olympic TT gold after all? Hamilton hands his back

Well again this is not "new" news, is it? But it's nice to see some honour amongst thieves, I guess. Ekimov of course is now retired (again) but had a long and illustrious career (can't forget his pursuit tussles with Dean Woods and co back in the late 1980s, can we?). He deserves this added official respect.

Hamilton Gives Back Olympic Time Trial Gold Medal | Cyclingnews.com

Hamilton had won the 2004 Olympic Games time trial ahead of Viatcheslav Ekimov (Russia) and Bobby Julich (United States of America) and Michael Rogers (Australia). In theory, the new assignment of medals could be Ekimov - gold, Julich - silver and Rogers - bronze.

A previous joint appeal by the Russian and Australian Olympic Committees to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in 2006, was denied. The Russians and Australians had asked unsuccessfully for CAS to give Hamilton's medal to Ekimov.

Hamilton's "confession"...

Hamilton Gives Back Olympic Time Trial Gold Medal | Cyclingnews.com

Hamilton, a former teammate of Lance Armstrong claimed that seven-time Tour de France winner had used performance enhancing drugs, including EPO and testosterone during several of his Tour wins. Hamilton made the claims during an interview with the credible "60 Minutes" program that is planning to air this Sunday, and those claims emerged yesterday.

C'mon George, what did you see? Not a Grand Tour but a Grand Jury for Armstrong. What could Hamilton, Landis and Hincapie possibly have testified?

A lot rests on George Hincapie's testimony, doesn't it? Especially since Hamilton, like Landis, has now admitted what he saw and did.

It's not really news, but it's like the stars aligning. Almost a year ago there were reports circulating in the WSJ about who the FDA would be interested in and what they may say about Lance Armstrong. Well what they have (reportedly!) said as testimony to the FDA's Grand Jury hearings is finally coming out... and it's not exactly positive (pun intended, sorry) about Mr Armstrong. If it's as reported, anyway (have I said that enough?).

Bear in mind that this investigation carries enormous legal weight and anyone holding back the truth deliberately would potentially face a serious legal consequence. So what they have admitted, if reported accurately, carries more than a little impact. That anyone would lie at this stage would seem unlikely, especially when - like Landis and Hamilton - you have already been caught with PEDs in your blood and suffered major consequences. It's easy to imagine that they wouldn't want a jail sentence on top of what they have endured already. It's time to just own up. What else can be lost?

However the counter argument is 'how can we trust these guys?'. To which I would refer again to my previous para.

And as for Hincapie, well only blind loyalty would stand in the way of him simply telling the truth to a Grand Jury. His credibility is surely intact so far, so why lie now?

Bicycling.com reported on the WSJ article with particular reference to Hamilton, Landis and Hincapie last year...

Hincapie and Hamilton Could Change Armstrong Investigation | Boulder Report | Bicycling.com

Salacious details aside, the most important part of last week’s story was very lightly remarked – that three other former members of Armstrong’s U.S. Postal Service team told the Journal they witnessed doping on the team and one said he had participated. Those riders were not named by the Journal, but it’s evident that the Journal did not print Landis’ allegations without verifying at least some of them with other sources.

Now, the Journal reports that investigators are looking to speak with other riders. That’s not a shock, but what is significant about it is two of the riders (there are undoubtedly others) the Journal says are being targeted: Tyler Hamilton and George Hincapie.

An August 2010 report...

Armstrong hires Clinton media expert Fabiani, Hincapie appoints legal team

Armstrong denied the charges and said that Landis had a credibility problem after previously lying about his own doping use. However investigators have been seeking statements from other former US Postal Service riders and employees, and several un-named riders have been reported as having already been in talks with Novitzky. At least one individual is thought to have backed up Landis’ claims.

And more recently...

AS THE CYCLIST AND CANCER CRUSADER FACES - 01.24.11 - SI Vault

Since August a grand jury has been meeting in Los Angeles to hear testimony by associates and confidants of Armstrong's. Those subpoenaed or interviewed include Armstrong's former teammates Tyler Hamilton, George Hincapie and Kevin Livingston; Mike Anderson, who once worked as Armstrong's bike mechanic and assistant; and Oakley sunglasses marketing representative Stephanie McIlvain. Another former teammate of Armstrong's, Floyd Landis, who won the 2006 Tour de France but was stripped of the title because of a positive drug test, also gave information to investigators.

So please, what did Hincapie say?

Silly season works it way to crescendo of dopes prior to Le Tour

It's Grand Tour time and there are accusations flying about... as usual. Here's a brief run down just for the record. Bar making the prediction that Le Tour 2011 will be preceded by the usual denials, claims and counter-claims and whilst personally not being too fussed about it, it does bring a decent sport - and riders - into unfair disrepute; so I shall say nothing more. Except, take it all with a grain of salt and always remember that there are people's lives involved here, on all sides.

Savio Caught Up In Italian Doping Investigation | Cyclingnews.com

De Angeli rode for Savio’s team in 2005 but tested positive for EPO and was suspended for two years. He then suffered personal problems but decided to speak out two years ago and accused Savio of dealing doping products when giving evidence to the anti-doping investigators at the Italian Olympic Committee. This sparked the police investigation.

Savio: Mantova Investigation Damaging For Italian Cycling | Cyclingnews.com

Gianni Savio has spoken about the Mantova investigation that has engulfed Italian cycling in the past week. The Androni Giocattoli manager was at the Paris Roubaix team presentation and believes that whatever the outcome of the investigation, Italian cycling has taken another severe hit to its already shaky integrity.

“Fortunately it’s not a question for us. We have no riders in the investigation so it’s very difficult to know what happened and what will happen,” he told Cyclingnews.

“But it’s damaging for Italian cycling,” he added. “I think that all these questions are bad for cycling.”

Gazzetta Dello Sport Reveals More Details Of Mantova Police Investigation | Cyclingnews.com

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport has revealed further details of the police investigation that has engulfed the Lampre-Farnese Vini team, claiming that 16 riders and staff from the team have been formally placed under investigation for doping related offences.

A total of 35 people are under investigation by police in Mantova as part of a two-year investigation. Local media in Italy have suggested the investigation was sparked by the confession of Emanuele Sella after he tested positive for CERA in 2008.

Ballan And Santambrogio Pulled From Racing | Cyclingnews.com

The BMC Racing Team has announced on Friday morning that Alessandro Ballan and Mauro Santambrogio will not be racing pending the outcome of the Mantova police investigation, an anti-doping investigation currently being held in Italy.

Mantova Investigation Set To Reveal Accused During Giro D'Italia | Cyclingnews.com

The investigation is still big news in Italy with Gazzetta dello Sport again dedicating two pages to it on Thursday under the headline of "Un 'inchiesta che fa tremare' -an investigation that makes you shake with fear. One page carried an interview with the judge and the other an interview with Guido Nigrelli, the pharmacist at the centre of the investigation.

Nigrelli again denied any wrongdoing. He confirmed that former World Champion Alessandro Ballan used to do testing with him and confirmed he has been a friend of Lampre team manager Giuseppe Saronni for 30 years. He also said the Lampre-Farnese Vini team doctors ordered regular supplies of medicines from him but insisted he had not done anything illegal.

"The thing that has bothered me the most is that 60 families risk everything. If Lampre doesn't ride the Giro, it'll close down," he said, raising the spectre that the future of the Italian team could be at risk.

Out of the blue, Sinkewitz sinks into the mire. Provisionally, of course.

Oh here's a surprise. It's provisional, it's subject to a hearing, etc. OTOH he's previously been done for testosterone and has admitted EPO use. I don't want to pre-judge anyone but many will simply join the dots. It's tempting.

SBS: Cycling Central : UCI bans Sinkewitz over positive test

"Earlier today, the UCI advised German rider Patrik Sinkewitz that he is provisionally suspended," a UCI statement read.

"The provisional suspension remains in force until a hearing panel convened by the German Cycling Federation determines whether Mr Sinkewitz has committed an anti-doping rule violation."

It is alleged a growth hormone showed up in tests of a blood sample taken from Sinkewitz

MTBer van Houts visits Mexico, confirmed positive for Clenbuterol and declared eligible to ride

I guess there must be a doubt about Mexican beef as well as the Spanish variety. If Clenbuterol is really the drug of choice right now it's going to be really hard to "prove" a case against an athlete when "inadvertent consumption" is validated as an excuse. It's back to proving "intent" - a much more difficult thing than a simple positive. 

Van Houts Free To Ride Again After Clenbuterol Positive | Cyclingnews.com

According to the Koninklijke Nederlandsche Wielren Unie, van Houts was not acquitted, but convicted without punishment. “There was Clenbuterol in Van Houts' body,” said Herman Ram, director of the federation's doping authority, to telesport.nl.

“In this case the disciplinary committee ruled at the request of van Houts and the advice of the doping authority, where we knew there was a violation but that van Houts cannot be blamed for it. There is no punishment imposed.”

Biological passport stamped FAIL for Pellizotti and Caucchioli... 2 years off, loss of prior wins

The biological passport wins again. Or does it? Remembering that there is no positive test here, just aberrant blood values picked up by an 'expert committee' looking over longitudinal data. Now they may well be right, and I for one have faith that the committee knows what they are looking for - but if you were actually innocent (always possible, you know) how would you feel about 2 years off work for no apparent reason? Gutted? Plus the shame of it. Then again, if we added power values over time to this biological data would that add some extra robustness and quell any doubts? Is it needed or do we simply need more trust in the present system?

Pellizotti Banned For Two Years By The Court Of Arbitration For Sport | Cyclingnews.com

Italy’s Franco Pellizotti has been suspended for two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after it upheld an appeal by the UCI.

The 33 year-old was snared by the UCI’s Biological Passport before last year’s Giro d’Italia but was then cleared by the Italian Olympic Committee in October.

Pellizotti’s legal team had requested an urgent verdict and the arbitrators took just five days to reach their decison. His ban is expected to last until May 2012. Fellow Italian Pietro Caucchioli was also given a ban, with CAS confirming the two-year suspension issued by the Italian Olympic Committee.

Chilean cyclist Arriagada fights steroids positive - as you would

Hard to imagine what "tests" he will undergo to prove his innocence, unless his body naturally produces higher-than normal levels of anabolic steroids. We could call that the "But I'm Innocent" or "Landis Type 1" defence. Perhaps Marco will have better luck than Landis.   

SBS: Cycling Central : Chile's top cyclist facing doping test battle

Chile's top cyclist Marco Arriagada announced he has tested positive for banned substances but has pledged to prove his innocence.

Arriagada tested positive during the Tour of Chile, a race he has won three times, in February. According to press reports the 35-year-old's sample tested positive for anabolic steroids.

If Contador's really innocent then it's all good. Unless you consider the unfairness of it all. A tainted media beef.

If Contador really ingested Clenbuterol inadvertently, without any knowledge or intent, then all, surely, is good. Until WADA decides to appeal, I guess. Six months down, another 6 months of goodness to come?

Now we may think Alberto guilty or innocent, but how could we know? We just get fed the same tainted media beef everyone else gets. We may have doubts about the fairness of this decision to others, particularly to those athletes who have been in similar situations of "inadvertence" but were penalised (see the link to Rory Sutherland's story, below). Now we can't turn back the clock and reverse such past "unfair" decisions, they are done and dusted - and personal careers delayed, destroyed or at least deflected onto new paths. (Although you can't help but wonder if some of those penalised athletes may not be thinking ruefully at this outcome and wondering if there's a compensation angle opening up here. Sadly that's unlikely.) And yes, we may imagine making valid exceptions where real doubt exists. But we do have a duty to be careful in choosing our exceptions.

Is Contador an exception to the rule for the right reasons? Or for the wrong ones?

Contador’s spokesman confirms that he’s been cleared of Clenbuterol doping charges

“Alberto Contador has been officially cleared by the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation and has been authorized to return to competition immediately,” said Jacinto Vidarte. “If everything goes well, the rider will take the start, tomorrow, at the Volta ao Algarve.”

Media Reactions To Contador's Clearing On Doping Charges | Cyclingnews.com

My feeling is that this case (and more generally article 296 of the UCI’s regulations) sets an extremely dangerous precedent. The UCI couldn’t show conclusively that Contador had deliberately taken clenbuterol? OK, does that mean the same now applies when a rider tests positive for EPO?

Media Reactions To Contador's Clearing On Doping Charges | Cyclingnews.com

is the only real difference between Contador and someone like the American Tom Zirbel, banned for two years after accidentally ingesting the hormone DHEA, the money they were able to invest in their defence?

There are parallels with Rory Sutherland's case, but with a very different outcome (although Rory thankfully got his career back on track after an enforced delay.)

Rory Sutherland Interview: Rory's Story | Cyclingnews.com

Sutherland claims he had no prior knowledge of the substance until he was told it was present in his body at the time he was tested, which occurred at the Deutschland Tour (Tour of Germany) in August 2005. Evidence reveals the concentration of Clomiphene in his body was in the range of 5-10 nanograms - in other words, 5-10 billionths of a gram - and it was this argument that was put forward to the disciplinary committee at his November 23 hearing.

Furthermore, an independent investigation committee wrote in its report that it did not find "any indication that Sutherland was directly or indirectly implicated in expressing interest in or in using substances classified as doping agents" and that "Sutherland took the substance unknowingly."

There are many examples of such "alternative endings" to this "inadvertent ingestion" story.  Perhaps Alberto's story will receive an alternative ending when WADA decides to take it further - or not.

I guess it's too late to hope that Ricco is innocent. But what happens if Contador gets off?

Although I wanted to believe that Ricco could resist temptation it looks increasingly unlikely that he'll talk his way out of this one - even if it is all hearsay at the moment. And we haven't heard from him at all (is he even able to speak right now?) so who knows what has really happened. OTOH Contador has put up a good, spirited case against overwhelmingly solid evidence. Yet I have a sneaking suspicion he'll get off, despite premature announcements of guilt and a 1 year ban. He's definitely positive for a banned substance - and many others have just copped it sweet for these "inadvertent ingestion" calls - but the signals are very mixed. The UCI doesn't want to interfere, yet they don't want to "crucify" him either. And the Spanish are hesitant with their "proposals". We shall soon know.

SBS: Cycling Central : Vacansoleil suspend Ricco

Ricco returned from a doping ban early last year however the Italian climbing specialist aroused suspicion when he was admitted to hospital last week suffering from a suspected blood infection.

Reports claimed Ricco made himself ill by injecting blood which had not been stored properly.

A Vacansoleil statement issued overnight meanwhile suggested they had found enough proof of a doping infraction to suspend the Italian, and were taking legal advice about ending his contract.

SBS: Cycling Central : Spanish PM defends Contador

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has defended Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, who is facing a one-year ban for doping offences.

SBS: Cycling Central : Spanish PM defends Contador

Despite repeatedly denying taking any banned substances, blaming the result on food contamination, it increasingly looks like stage racing's biggest talent will be banned.

The Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) made a proposal last month to ban Contador for a year.

Contador positive for Clenbuterol in four different tests

Previously reported as positive on two days, the Spanish media has reported that Alberto Contador’s samples showed traces of Clenbuterol on four different occasions, spread over five days.

Garcia takes a 2 year rest for EPO and HES (masking agent) use. Meanwhile...

Plenty of these positives still flying around. I guess that's a positive in itself, but I can't help but wonder how many get missed. Meanwhile Contador will be appealing his 1 year "rest". I do wonder if he is actually guilty, or if he is simply tainted by past associations. I get the feeling that many people feel he is "guilty" but there doesn't appear to be that final, definite "proof". Although a positive for Clenbuterol does suggest a certain degree of walking the edge.

Spain’s David Garcia handed two-year doping ban

Spanish cyclist David Garcia has been handed a two-year doping ban following his positive test at the last Tour of Spain, the Spanish Cycling Federation said Thursday.

Garcia, who finished in 11th place competing with the Xacobeo team at LaVuelta, took the in-competition test on September 13 after which the Madrid laboratory analysing his sample detected banned blood booster EPO.

The World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory in Madrid indicated an adverse analytical finding of EPO and found the racer had tested positive for another prohibited substance, Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES), based on samples taken on September 16 in Cologne, Germany.

At news conference, Contador vows to appeal

An angry Alberto Contador on Friday vowed to fight a proposed one-year doping ban and reasserted his claims of innocence against charges that he doped to win the 2010 Tour de France.

Speaking publicly for the first time since news broke Wednesday that he’s facing a one-year ban and disqualification of his 2010 Tour victory after traces of clenbuterol turned up in a doping control, Contador promised to fight “until the end” to clear his name.

At news conference, Contador vows to appeal

“I am innocent. I have never doped in my career. I say that loud and clear, with my head held high. I am an example of cleanliness in this sport.”