Valjavec cleared, Rebellin rejected

Fairness and transparency tip towards Valjavec but Rebellin's case falls flat. Of course every case is different and we can only trust that due process was followed to the letter. Importantly, the distinction here is that in Valjavec's case we are looking at variances in specific blood values over time, not doping products as such; whereas in Rebellin's case CERA was positively identified. Rebiellin was also the higher profile rider - and whilst you'd hope that it wouldn't matter there is also the feeling that his immediately preceding wins (of which there are several) are now tainted. So our sense of justice is argulably served - somewhat - by Rebellin's penalty.

Valjavec Cleared By Slovenian Anti-doping Agency | Cyclingnews.com

Slovenian rider Tadej Valjavec has been cleared by his national anti-doping agency. The AG2R rider, currently suspended by his team, had been accused of blood doping within the framework of the UCI's Biological Passport in early May this year, with the questionable values dating back to 2009.

However, according to Slovenian website siol.net, the disciplinary board of the Slovenian NAK ruled on Thursday, July 29, that there was not enough evidence to open disciplinary proceedings against Valjavec. The panel even criticised the application of the Biological Passport in the case, saying that it failed to take into account all the factors that could explain Valjavec's blood values naturally. Moreover, it found that some of the tests were not carried out in accordance with the technical documents affecting the test results.

CAS Rejects Rebellin's Appeal | Cyclingnews.com

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed the doping case appeal filed by the Italian cyclist Davide Rebellin against the decision of the Executive Committee of International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Friday. The IOC had disqualified Rebellin from the 2008 Olympic Games and withdrew his silver medal, and with this ruling CAS upheld the decision.

In a Staite of bother. Brit cyclist gets 2 years off for EPO

At least the Brits don't go to the media at the first sniff of a positive. It's all much more restrained and respectful. If only such was always the case.

British Cyclist Dan Staite Suspended For Two Years | Cyclingnews.com

Dan Staite, a British cyclist, formerly of the Cycles Dauphin Racing Team, has been banned for two years after testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO) and an aromatase inhibitor, both of which are illegal under World Anti-Doping Agency rules.

Staite's positive came about after he was tested at the Roy Thame Cup on 13 March, 2010. Rumours of his positive test started circulating months ago. But unlike many national federations, British Cycling and UK Anti-Doping don't announce positives until the disciplinary process is complete.

A year on, retired former Saunier Duval rider Lobato Elvira gets 2 years for bio passport infringement

Not that it matters - he was without a ride then and is a DS now - but it has taken a while to process. OTOH as a DS working with young riders you'd hope he'd be instilling good, clean-riding values. You'd hope.

Lobato Elvira Suspended For Two Years | Cyclingnews.com

The International Cycling Union has announced that Spanish rider Ruben Lobato Elvira has been suspended by the Spanish Cycling Federation for two years because of a violation of the UCI’s biological Passport programme.

UCI Names First Five Biological Passport Violators | Cyclingnews.com

Also named were former world champion Igor Astarloa, former Saunier Duval rider Ruben Lobato Elvira, who is without a team for this season, and Italian Francesco De Bonis (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni - Androni Giocattoli).

LeMond is cautiously optimistic over TdF power data

Caution is needed but the proposition is that tiredness and fatigue have re-appeared in this year's Tour, as has "believability", if you like. Be careful, though, as the tactics have also changed - once we used to see star climbers go out alone or in small bunches on a long break, taking minutes out of the field and expecting to lose some of them later; then we got used to seeing the "time trial" method of dieseling up the mountains a la Indurain and Ullrich; and more recently a train of domestique climbers "launching" the star rider onto a climb; whereas now we are seeing a stranger - perhaps more "believable" - mixture of these techniques, making direct comparison less reliable.

Data Of Optimism? | Cyclingnews.com

When I read what their data indicates, I get hopeful that there has been a big effort to change the old habits of the past. This does not mean that the Tour is 100% clean but it does hint that things are possibly changing for the better.

I think that when you see levels of 5.8 or 5.9 watts per kilo for over 20 minutes, it is believable and falls into historical norms. It depends on the VO2 Max, of course, but I believe that a rider like Contador has a lot of talent and is therefore capable of that.

After reading their article, all I could think of was why doesn't the sport embrace scientists like these two to help figure out a better way to control the doping that has destroyed the integrity of cycling? I am a big believer in science and in the end it is the science that will stand the test of time.

The sportsscientists.com guys were saying that in the 90s and early 2000s, most of the climbs were done at 6.2, 6.3 and even up to 6.7 watts per kilo; this is a sign of blood doping.

The Science of Sport

Of particular interest given the debate before the Tour, is that not a single longer climb hit the power outputs that we've become accustomed to seeing in '90s and 2000s. Nor have they hit what we debated pre-Tour as the "suspect" power values of greater than 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 W/kg.

And while the 6.2 W/kg number got a lot of people riled, I really think it's telling that the very best climbers, with the highest level of motivation (on the Tourmalet) failed to hit those power outputs.

LeMond explains a few things, Dr Ferrari replies and Bruyneel explains

Well believe what you will because no-one's owning up yet - aside from Floyd Landis (if you can believe him, I mean).

Greg LeMond said a few things that he clearly believes are true, things he has stated before. He has never come to terms with other, lesser riders suddenly out-riding him and simply believes they were juiced. Which is probably a well regarded and highly shared opinion, true or not. As well he distrusts Dr Ferrari and points to him as a bad influence. However Dr Ferrari replies that he was cleared in a court of law and refutes these allegations. If a rider wants to cheat they should go elsewhere, he says. 

Plus, Bruyneel has made a comment about the accusation made by Landis that US Postal team bikes were sold for drug money. He admits they were sold but definitely not for dope. So that's cleared that up then, eh?

Bravo To The New Generation | Cyclingnews.com

LeMond: When I made my now often repeated statement about Lance Armstrong and his long term relationship with Dr. Ferrari in 2001, I tried to keep it as short and to the point as possible. I was very disappointed to learn that he was a patient of Dr. Ferrari. Long before this relationship was revealed by David Walsh in 2001 I had made comments about the entrance of specialists like Dr. Ferrari and others into the sport of cycling. I was hearing stories back as early as 1993 about Dr. Ferrari and his client list of pro cyclists.

It was said that Dr. Ferrari was getting around 15-20% of a riders salary for preparing their doping programs. Because of this information we often joked that Dr. Ferrari was the best paid rider in the peloton.

Open Letter From Dr. Michele Ferrari | Cyclingnews.com

- I have never coached more than twenty professional cyclists at the same time. In recent years, less than half of that.

- It is not true that the athletes paid for my services with a percentage of their salary: it is a false legend, originated from the so-called "Dossier Donati".

Open Letter From Dr. Michele Ferrari | Cyclingnews.com

It is probably from this dossier that Greg Lemond drew the “rumours” and quotes the numerous “it was saids” in his letter.

But what Greg does not know, or pretends not to know, is that one of such “confidants” actually clearly mentions his name and that of his doctor in relation to doping events.

- It is absolutely false that cyclists contacted me for doping programs: some came to me at first with such request, but never came back twice.

Bruyneel Acknowledges That Discovery Bikes Were Sold On EBay | Cyclingnews.com

Johan Bruyneel has confirmed that one of his past teams sold bikes, but said it was after Discovery Channel had ended its sponsorship in 2007, and that he had “no idea” where the money had gone.

Floyd Landis had claimed recently that the US Postal team sold bikes to help fund the team's doping programme. He said that some 60 bikes were not accounted for, and that they had been sold for cash.

"What Floyd is saying is that 60 bikes were missing," Bruyneel said to the AP. "I have absolutely no idea where he got that from."

But wait, there's more. OK, same old same old from Landis. Still, it's on the news again...

I have no firm view on Mr Armstrong's involvement in doping practices but I will take issue with his attorney: "He's gifted physically in ways that are very unique...". OK, so what "gifts" are these? It's a lame comment to make since (a) we are all unique, that's how human genetics works unless he's a clone or an absolutely identical twin - and even then there are differences. And (b) if he has these gifts then let's see 'em - prove it. if we can prove he has natural physical gifts of a higher order than any other tour rider then we have an explanation for 7 consecutive Tour wins and can layoff the search for 'extraterrestrial' gifts. Otherwise it's lame.

Of course likely as not he's only as physically gifted as the next elite-level highly trained 3 week stage racer. But he may well have exploited organisational, team or mental "gifts" better than the next guy. Otherwise, it's lame.   

Floyd Landis Nightline Interview - ABC News

"Well, it depends on what your definition of fraud is," Landis said. "I mean it -- look -- if he didn't win the Tour, someone else that was doped would have won the Tour. In every single one of those Tours."

An attorney for Armstrong, Tim Herman, adamantly denied Landis' allegations against Armstrong. He went on to say that Armstrong has undergone around 300 separate competition drug tests and never tested positive.

"I know [Armstrong] to be an athlete that comes along once every couple of generations," Herman said. "He is extremely focused. He's gifted physically in ways that are very unique and he is disciplined, dedicated. He's the hardest working athlete I've ever been around. But he's also extremely devoted and committed to his cancer work. ...

"Landis is a confessed perjurer and he is a liar, and I think, as Lance said ... when you taste milk to see if it's sour, you take a first taste and you don't have to drink the whole carton to know it's all sour."

What Alessandro Petacchi has to say about the latest accusations

Live Report Tour de France - Stage 16 | Cyclingnews.com

The Lampre man had this to say on the matter at the start this morning.

"It’s not my stuff. It wasn’t found at my house. I don’t know why I’m being accused of using. If it was found at my house I wouldn’t have started today or the Tour.

On the 28th of July I’m going to see the judge who has asked me to explain things. I don’t know what he wants to ask me. I’m sorry about it all. I’m just here to do my job.

I hope I’m not sent home. I’ve suffered a lot, won two stages and fought for the green jersey. I’m sorry for my team and my teammates. I’m just trying to do my job but there always seems to be something. I want to finish the Tour de France and I cant let it get to me. I’m old enough to be able to separate the two things and carry on racing."

Dopage du Jour

There is nothing to say he's done anything wrong, yet - just that he's suspected and is under investigation... but that alone is enough to see you suspended "pending" investigation. But will Lampre suspend their green jersey holder mid-Tour?

Petacchi Under Investigation In Italy | Cyclingnews.com

Petacchi is accused of having used PFC (Perfluorocarbon) and human serum albumin. PFC can be used to increase the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood without raising haematocrit level. Its use in the peloton was first rumoured in 1997 as an alternative to EPO, when the UCI introduced “health checks” preventing riders with haematocrit levels in excess of 50% from competing. PFC is as yet undetectable. Human albumin, on the other hand, can be used to reduce haematocrit level.

Will green jersey holder Petacchi turn a darker green if Lampre suspends him?

There is nothing to say he's done anything wrong, yet - just that he's suspected and is under investigation... but that alone is enough to see you suspended "pending" investigation. But will Lampre suspend their green jersey holder mid-Tour?

Petacchi Under Investigation In Italy | Cyclingnews.com

Petacchi is accused of having used PFC (Perfluorocarbon) and human serum albumin. PFC can be used to increase the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood without raising haematocrit level. Its use in the peloton was first rumoured in 1997 as an alternative to EPO, when the UCI introduced “health checks” preventing riders with haematocrit levels in excess of 50% from competing. PFC is as yet undetectable. Human albumin, on the other hand, can be used to reduce haematocrit level.

Ouch. Seems Mr Armstrong has forgotten he once claimed to own 10% of Tailwind

I'm not sure I'd call it crucial evidence but it's surprising that Lance has forgotten even a 10 - perhaps 11.5% investment in Tailwind Sports. It's probably chickenfeed, especially 5 years on. But to forget it? Or try to hide it? Why? Of course the let-out clause here is that the transaction may have been delayed until 2007, so what Lance thought had happened by 2005 actually only completed a couple of years later, if it completed at all. There's some doubt here.

What may matter more down the line is if corroborated evidence comes to light that Tailwind was coordinating the alleged institutionalised doping within the US Postal team. At which point - a point we are nowhere near by the way - Lance may be seen as sharing in the profits of an illicit activity and thus in some way sharing responsibility beyond that of a mere bike-riding employee. As I say, that's a long bow to draw and there's no evidence of institutionalised doping at US Postal other than the statements by Landis and speculation by others. All smoke, no fire at this stage. 

Cycling Bloggers Scour Armstrong’s 2005 Testimony - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com

In Mr. Armstrong’s answers to questions in the deposition from Jeff Tillotson, a lawyer representing the firm that initially withheld the bonus, he said he was not sure how much of the company he owned, but added that his agent, Bill Stapleton, would know.

Q. Can you tell us what your relationship, first, your business relationship with Tailwind Sports is?
A. I’m an athlete on the team.
Q. Do you have any ownership interest in Tailwind Sports?
A. A small one.
Q. When you say a small one, can you give me an approximate percentage as to what that would be, if you know?
A. Perhaps 10 percent.
Q. Do you know when you acquired that ownership interest?
A. No. I don’t remember.
Q. Would it have been in 2005, or before that?
A. I don’t remember.
Q. Do you have any — is there — do you have any recollection as to when it would have been? ’02? ’03? ’04?
A. Before today.
Q. OK. Would it have been before 2001?
A. Probably not, but I’m not a hundred percent sure.
Q. Who would know the answer to that question as to when you acquired an ownership interest in Tailwind?
A. Bill Stapleton.

On Wednesday afternoon, Bonnie D. Ford of ESPN reported:

In a separate deposition taken in September 2005, Stapleton, also questioned by Tillotson, said Armstrong was among “10 or 15″ owners of Tailwind. Stapleton said he thought the cyclist controlled 11.5 percent of the company.

Cycling Bloggers Scour Armstrong’s 2005 Testimony - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com

Asked by Mr. Tillotson, “Did Mr. Armstrong acquire his ownership interest in Tailwind prior to the 2004 Tour de France”? Mr. Stapleton said, “I don’t think he did. Our contract with the — with the — with Tailwind and Lance’s involvement, it was certainly intended by the summer of 2004. I don’t think it was executed.”

In a statement on Wednesday, Mr. Armstrong’s personal lawyer, Tim Herman, said that the confusion was caused by the fact that the company that owned the team, Tailwind, had decided to give Mr. Armstrong stock in 2004 but did not actually do so until 2007.

Roundup of progress on Floydgate witchhunt - no witches found yet

Or some smoke but no fire - yet. Interesting that it's being taken seriously, interesting also that the UCI "leadership" continues to look emotional and a little too close to the action. Not in a good way either, I mean. You'd think taking a step back and keeping some perspective would be a good idea.

Verbruggen Labels Landis A Nuisance | Cyclingnews.com

In e-mails leaked to Cyclingnews, Verbruggen labels Floyd Landis as "a nuisance" and suggested that he succeeded so well in the role that he should get a "yellow jersey" for his efforts.

Verbuggen initiated the exchange with Landis by forwarding a link to an article written by John Leicester of the Associated Press. The story detailed the feelings of vindication shared by the employees of the Chatenay-Malabry laboratory, which Landis had accused of sloppy work and dishonesty, after the American admitted in May that he had doped during his career.

Grand Jury Subpoenas Issued In Landis Investigation | Cyclingnews.com

The paper didn’t name which witnesses had been or will be issued with subpoenas. It’s known that current BMC Racing Team rider George Hincapie and former professional Tyler Hamilton have been approached by the federal investigators.

Hamilton has previously indicated he would provide investigators with his full cooperation if subpoenaed, telling The Wall Street Journal last month: “I am aware that there is an investigation of other people in progress, and if I am subpoenaed to provide information, I will provide my full cooperation.”

Armstrong Willing To Co-operate With Doping Investigation | Cyclingnews.com

"As long as we have a legitimate and credible and fair investigation I will be happy to co-operate but I'm not going to participate in any kind of witch hunt," he said, according to the New York Times.

He added that he had never been an owner of the team in any way during the U.S. Postal years. "It was not my company, I didn't have a position, I didn't have an equity stake, I didn't have a profit stake, I didn't have a seat on the board. I was a rider on the team. I can't be any clearer than that," Armstrong said.

The investigation is said to be concentrating on the team's finances during the period in which it was sponsored by U.S. Postal Services and owned by Tailwind Sports.

The latest dope on Floydgate, inept UCI donation management and the expected denials

Still more smoke, no fire. You'd expect all of this, really. Although the UCI appears increasingly inept at keeping track of donations, doesn't it?

Hincapie And Hamilton Approached By Federal Investigators | Cyclingnews.com

George Hincapie (BMC) and Tyler Hamilton are among the riders who have been asked to cooperate with the federal investigation into doping practices in American cycling at large and the US Postal Service team in particular, according to the Wall Street Journal.

McQuaid Reveals Armstrong Made Two Donations To The UCI | Cyclingnews.com

The president of the International Cycling Union Pat McQuaid has revealed to Cyclingnews that Lance Armstrong made not one, but two donations to the UCI. Speaking to Cyclingnews during a visit to Britain, McQuaid said that the seven-time Tour de France winner signed a personal cheque for $25,000 in 2002 and then his management company Capital Sports and Entertainment made a second payment of $100,000 in 2005.

Bruyneel Questioned By Belgian Authorities About Landis Allegations | Cyclingnews.com

Johan Bruyneel has been questioned by Belgian federal prosecutors concerning doping claims made by Floyd Landis. The questioning was done at the request of the Koninklijke Belgische Wielrijdersbond (KBWB), the Belgian cycling federation, and the International Cycling Union, the KBWB said in a press release.

Bruyneel denied all accusations made by Landis.

Pevenage comes clean on Ullrich and Fuentes. But what of the others?

Nice to see someone else owning up, even if it is rather late in the day. Mind you, Ullrich himself has admitted nothing, despite paying a fine.

SBS: Cycling Central : Ullrich mentor reveals he organised doping trips

"I never bought or sold banned doping products, all I did was organise Jan's trips to Madrid to go and see Fuentes", Pevenage told L'Equipe newspaper on Thurday.

He said T-Mobile had been racing clean in the wake of the Festina doping affair of 1998, which almost brought a halt to the 1998 race, but changed tack after seeing how badly they were faring against rival teams.

"At T-Mobile we stopped everything (doping) after 1998, and I can affirm that our team was really racing clean after that.

"But little by little we realised that we were beginning to trail behind some of our rivals, mostly the Spanish and Italians.

WADA confirms Interpol sticks nose into Floydgate investigation. Whatever. Let's just find the truth, eh?

It gets bigger and bigger, and someone is going to get burned. I suspect it'll be Floyd himself, but he's already had his share and can't sink much lower, can he? Meanwhile the whole US Postal 'institutionalised doping' scenario looks like both a house of cards waiting to fall and an ever-receding mirage. It's hard to see anything provable coming out of this, but it deserves an airing to get the smell out. The truth may never come out but at least the effort will be made. Or not. Finally the UCI may also look a bit silly and naive, if not actually duplicitous and corrupt, in taking a significant 'donation' from a current rider. We shall see...

Investigation Into Landis Claims Widens To Include Interpol | Cyclingnews.com

An investigation into claims of widespread, organized doping made by Floyd Landis against his former teams has been broadened to include the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

The new development was confirmed by the World Anti Doping Agency's general director David Howman, whose agency has helped the United States federal investigators gain the cooperation of the European agency.

Statements by Floyd Landis in May led the US Food and Drug Administration to launch the investigation into claims that his former US Postal team engaged in organized doping practices and that Lance Armstrong was one of the riders to take part.

Landis rocks the Armstrong boat again, and LeMond makes a prediction

Of course we all expected more detail to emerge just before Le Tour... and here it comes.

Explosive Landis Revelations On Eve Of Tour | Cyclingnews.com

The Wall Street Journal published new revelations of alleged doping practices early Saturday, just prior to the start of the Tour de France.

Several months ago Landis provided the publication with details of secret blood transfusions during the 2004 Tour de France, training camps in St Moritz with banned doctor Michele Ferrari, lavish parties featuring strippers in addition to the sale of team bikes to fund doping practices.

Landis also told the paper that after his ill-fated 2006 Tour de France campaign, Armstrong had advised him to deny taking performance-enhancing substances, while Garmin-Transitions boss and former US Postal rider Jonathan Vaughters had invited him to stay in New York to avoid the pressure cooker situation that had arisen, and told him he should 'come clean' about everything he had done.

Explosive Landis Revelations On Eve Of Tour | Cyclingnews.com

Landis also revealed several situations where US Postal riders had transfused blood, namely at the 2004 edition of the Tour, which was convincingly won by Armstrong. The first instance allegedly took place in a hotel in Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat on July 12, the first rest day of that year's race.

The Art Of Peaking For The Tour De France | Cyclingnews.com

My Lance Armstrong prediction? Either he will not start or he will pull out just before the race enters France. I have a feeling that the world of cycling is about to change for the better.

2 years on, now the French want a share of Ricco with a fine and suspended sentence for EPO use

On one hand he gained enormous publicity from his EPO antics, OTOH he's paid for it with a lengthy suspension. OTOOH he's come back strongly and is back in the frame as a "wanted" rider - for the right reasons I mean. Bottom line? I'm not sure about the right final balance being struck here but hopefully this will be the last of it. For Ricco at least.


SBS: Cycling Central : Ricco gets suspended jail term, fine for doping

A French court on Tuesday handed Italian cyclist Riccardo Ricco a two-month suspended jail term and a 3,000 euros (3,660 dollars) fine for doping during the 2008 Tour de France.

Ricco was kicked off the Tour that year after testing positive following the fourth stage time-trial for the banned blood-booster EPO.

3 Austrian riders pulled from Tour of Austria on suspicion of doping. Just in case?

I guess they must be pretty sure. You'd imagine there's a strong case, anyway. Otherwise it's either premature or more than a bit weak to pull riders out - publicly - "just because".

SBS: Cycling Central : Three banned from Tour of Austria for doping

Austrian cyclists Michael Knopf, Josef Kugler and Hannes Gruendlinger have been banned from taking part in this year's Tour of Austria for doping, the national cycling association announced Thursday.

The decision comes after the Austrian anti-doping agency NADA said it was investigating the three athletes on suspicion of doping.

Flying Frei cops 2 years for EPO

Former teammate (albeit briefly) of Cadel Evans... and a former Astana rider. I'm saying nothing more!!

SBS: Cycling Central : Two-year doping ban for Frei

Swiss rider Thomas Frei has been handed a two-year ban after testing positive for the banned EPO in March, the Swiss Olympic committee announced on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old, who tested positive in an out of competition test on March 21, admitted two previous offences.

Those Italian police are at it again, searching athlete's houses...

At leat they seem keen to investigate... unlike some.

Homes Of Four Pro Riders Among Those Searched In Italy | Cyclingnews.com

La Gazzetta dello Sport has identified Brescia-based endocrinologist Filippo Manelli as the doctor at the centre of the doping raids carried out in Italy yesterday, and named some of the riders implicated in the investigation. The homes of professional riders Marco Velo (Quick Step), Riccardo Chiarini (De Rosa), Marco Corti (Footon Servetto) and Raffaele Ferrara (Carmiooro) were among those searched by Italian police yesterday, according to La Gazzetta.

Raids were also carried out on the homes of five of the six Lucchini riders excluded from the recent GiroBio, an unnamed mountain bike rider, and female professional Francesca Faustini, as well as a footballer from Genoa’s youth system, the Italian daily continued.