Aussie DMAA dopers not named until cases worked thru; believed not recreational use

Delay in naming the Australian athletes believed to have tested positive to DMAA is due to the strict legal process to be followed - ie, prove the case(s) legally before a 'public trial' taints their names, perhaps unfairly. Whilst it's frustrating to not know the details, it does contrast sharply with the often criticised 'name and shame as early as possible' approach. So why raise it at all? Apparently to warn athletes that there is a possibly widespread problem with some otherwise legal supplements.

ASADA says no time-frame on outing dopers

Chief executive of ASADA Aurora Andruska said there was a strict legal process that needed to be adhered to before names were made public.

ASADA says no time-frame on outing dopers

The athletes reportedly tested positive to the banned stimulant DMAA, used in some bodybuilding and dietary supplements and in some party drugs.

However, Andruska said ASADA's information is that the positive tests are not linked to recreational drugs.

ASADA says no time-frame on outing dopers

"It's an unusual spike that we've seen just over this recent time, however what we're trying to do is get on the front foot here and let our athletes know to be very careful in taking these supplements," she said.

"This has happened before in terms of use of supplements and people inadvertently doping.

"Previously we've also provided advice, I think about 12 months ago we did a similar alert, so the main message for us is athletes need to be really careful about what they take.

"There's a strict personal liability for what the substances are that in their bodies and they just need to be really vigilant, talk to their medical team and also they can visit our website, where we've got the list of prohibited substances."

13 performance-enhanced pharmacists caught off-Guardia with illegal Clenbuterol. Is this good or bad for Alberto?

I've made all of this up. Truly, I have!

Alberto: I didn't take it, why would I want to take it and it was only a tiny amount anyway. Innocent!
Those out to get Alberto: doesn't matter how much, he took it and we found plasticiser as well. And he once rode with a team of other highly successful people we distrust. And he's Spanish. Guilty!
Spanish cycling federation: stop picking on us!
Alberto: I don't like French meat so I had some Spanish meat brought in, that's where it came from. Innocent!
Possibly disgruntled Astana ex-employee: Oh yeah, he takes it all the time in microdoses to adjust his weight.
Those out to get Alberto: A-hah, told you so! And why didn't he mention the Spanish meat before, and why hasn't he proved it with receipts and tests and it doesn't matter anyway. Guilty!
Alberto: Yay, I have found the receipts. Innocent! Anyway, if you ban me I'll never race again, promise! Innocent!
Those out to get Alberto: threatening to quit proves nothing. Clenbuterol isn't used in Spanish agriculture anymore. Guilty!
Spanish Guardia Civil: Hey, we just found a gang of pharmacists, horse-trainers and one cyclist we think was selling Clenbuterol to Spanish farmers. Innocent! Hmmm, one cyclist?
Those out to get Alberto: Hey, doesn't Fuentes live in Gran Canaria? Guilty!

Truth or fiction, it's building up into a fascinating story.

34 Arrested In Spanish Clenbuterol Investigation | Cyclingnews.com

The Spanish Guardia Civil have arrested 34 people in Tenerife and Gran Canaria on suspicion of running a doping ring that has been illegally selling a clenbuterol-based product. Those arrested have been charged with fraud and crimes against public health.

Among those arrested were 13 pharmacists, eight pharmacy assistants, nine veterinarians, a cattle-breeder, a pharmaceutical salesman, a bodybuilder and a cyclist.

Arrests made in Spanish Clenbuterol investigation in Gran Canaria and Tenerife

While the cyclist who has been arrested is the sole link to the sport thus far, the story is relevant as Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has tested positive for the same substance. He claimed that he ate it in contaminated meat bought by a friend in Irun, on the French-Spanish border, and brought to the Tour.

Clenbuterol use has been banned in livestock for several years and testing in 2008 and 2009 revealed no traces of the substance. Contador must provide proof that the ingestion of the substance did indeed come from this source in order to try to escape, or reduce, sanction.

Arrests made in Spanish Clenbuterol investigation in Gran Canaria and Tenerife

Gran Canaria and Tenerife are popular training locations for professional cyclists due to the terrain and possibility of altitude training on the latter. The alleged doping doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, who was at the epicentre of the Operación Puerto doping affair, lives in Gran Canaria.

Clenbuterol - Buy Clenbuterol - Visa Paypal

Until recently, Clembuterol (sic) was ingested only by those who were aware of its functions and usage, mostly by weight lifters, bodybuilders and athletes. However, today Clenbuterol seems to be sought after by more people, most them having absolutely no idea of what it does or how they should use it or what they have to do while using Clenbuterol.

In some countries, doctors prescribe Clenbuterol to treat Asthma and some smart folks in the physical training industry stumbled upon the fact that you can burn fat faster if you ingest Clenbuterol just a little more than the prescribed dosage and sweat it out in a gym.

CAS ruling lets Vino off UCI '1yr-salary' fine. Has anyone actually paid this fine? Do they now get a refund?

The UCI's over-the-top 1 year's salary plus suspension rule was arguably more for publicity than effect, and arguably the 'rider's commitment to a new cycling' document was one signed under duress, not by free will. Faced with a crippling financial loss,  Vinokourov set about overturning the fine. Now I don't support doping but I do support fair penalties. This one was unfair.

Did Cristian Moreni actually pay his fine? If so, will he seek a refund? I would.

CAS Finds That UCI's Vinokourov Fine Is Not Valid | Cyclingnews.com

Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) will not have to pay a fine equivalent to his then annual salary of €1.2 million as a result of his positive test for a blood transfusion at the 2007 Tour de France. According to El Pais, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) found against the International Cycling Union (UCI) and in favour of Vinokourov at a hearing in Lausanne on August 31.

Vinokourov: Don't Call Me Stupid | Cyclingnews.com

"Do you really think I was so stupid?" he asked in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. "Everyone knows that you can easily be caught for a blood transfusion. What did I have left to win in the Tour to take such a risk? After my crash I had already lost my high GC ranking."

Doper Kohl takes stand on what is impossible - 40kmh av for 3,000km - but what then is possible? 39.5?

Apart from the obvious: that by slowing down a tad it surely is possible to win a Grand Tour without "help", Kohl makes some good points about what is impossible. For him, anyway. And definitely for me. No amount of "help" would get me over those mountains inside of the time limit. Actually I'd get dropped in the first neutral zone, but let's not dwell upon me.

Kohl: Not Possible To Win Tour De France Without Doping | Cyclingnews.com

While Kohl wouldn't directly speculate on whether Alberto Contador had used doping products or methods, he noted that the average speeds ridden at the Tour might cause one to think so.

"Floyd Landis won the Tour de France and his average speed was 40 kph," Kohl said. "This year it was Contador and it was also about 40. It was nearly the same average speed. Landis was doped. Maybe in 10 or 15 years, you can win (without drugs) if we work with the anti-doping movement."

Kohl described his personal doping schedule, and how it enabled him to pass multiple doping tests.

“I was tested 200 times during my career, and 100 times I had drugs in my body,” he said, according to the New York Times. “I was caught, but 99 other times, I wasn’t.

If true, so what? Don't we all eat plastic (usually by accident)? Contador questions mount up

Give the guy a break. He's definitely a great rider, be he a proven drug "cheat" or not. I can remember former US Postal (or was it Disco, I can't remember) Matt White reporting many, many years ago that Alberto C. had displayed explosive acceleration in the mountains during training camps. Acceleration that no-one, not even Armstrong, could match. And despite a serious medical setback he has lived up to these stellar expectations, and exceeded them. Alas, such achievements bring doubts as well as fame. Winning the Giro "off the beach" after limited or no preparation was a worry; either he was playing games with the media or he was - and is - a freak. Winning GTs seemingly at will? Well, after a lot of effort - again, a freakish talent, even if one Schleck was able to get close (not to mention one Evans not so long ago).

And let's be clear: these latest accusations are unproven. Plasticisers in the blood - if true - may indicate nothing more than a modern life style. We all digest plastic incidentally with our food, although the "normal" level of plasticiser detectable in our  blood is moot. So once again there's a question (or 2, or 3) to be answered.

Plasticisers In Contador’s Urine Could Indicate Blood Transfusion | Cyclingnews.com

Alberto Contador returned a positive test for the so-called “plasticisers” in his urine the day before his positive control for Clenbuterol, according to the New York Times. The newspaper also says that the results could indicate that he had had a blood transfusion, which is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Alberto Contador Tests Positive For Clenbuterol | Cyclingnews.com

Contador won the Tour de France for a third time in July, beating Andy Schleck by 39 seconds.

The doping control in question was carried on July 21 during the second rest of the Tour in Pau, in the Pyrenees. The day after, Contador set up overall victory by finishing in the same time as Schleck at the summit of the Col du Tourmalet.

A message issued by Contador's personal press officer said Contador had been a victim of food contamination

Lemond Shocked By Contador Positive | Cyclingnews.com

“I find it hard to believe that a professional like Alberto Contador would risk a detectable drug and I can’t believe how many people have left a certain team and then gone positive,” LeMond told Cyclingnews after hearing the news.

Contador was tested several times during this year’s Tour de France but traces of clenbuterol were found in a sample from July 21, the second rest day of the race. The UCI stated that the amount of was 400 times less than the minimum amount World Anti-Doping Agency accredited labs must be able to detect.

Millar Calls For Calm In Contador Case | Cyclingnews.com

It was announced that the three-time Tour champion tested positive for clenbuterol in an almost-undetectable microdose of 50 picograms/millilitre, which is apparently 400 times less than the required limit of detection.

Speaking after taking silver in the elite men's world championship time trial, Millar called for understanding and patience from the media, fans and the administration. "Let's wait until all the information is out and give him the benefit of the doubt," said the British rider. "I think he's a fantastic athlete and a great human being. I think there's a very strong chance this is being blown out of proportion.

Contador sample may suggest blood doping

A urine sample taken from three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador showed abnormally high levels of plastic residues that could indicate he received a transfusion of his own blood during this year's race, a person with knowledge of the test results told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Contador sample may suggest blood doping

Contador's abnormal sample showed eight times the normal amount of the plasticiser, the person said.

The UCI said the clenbuterol was detected on July 21, the Tour's final rest day. The plastic residue was found in another test carried out on July 20, according to the source.

Contador sample may suggest blood doping

"There is not even the remotest possibility of speaking of blood manipulation because Alberto has not done anything illegal, neither in the Tour or ever," he told Cadena Ser radio on Tuesday. "We have absolutely nothing to hide."

Contador says he may quit if banned

"If this is not resolved favourably and in just fashion then I would have to consider whether I would ever get back on a bike," Contador told Spanish broadcaster Telecinco as he fights off after a positive test for clenbuterol, a banned substance, during this year's Tour.

Contador has been provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after he announced his positive test on Friday - but he insists he is the victim of contaminated food, saying he ate some contaminated meat brought in from Spain
Contador says he may quit if banned
October 4, 2010

Tour de France champion Alberto Contador says he may quit cycling if he is banned for doping.

"If this is not resolved favourably and in just fashion then I would have to consider whether I would ever get back on a bike," Contador told Spanish broadcaster Telecinco as he fights off after a positive test for clenbuterol, a banned substance, during this year's Tour.

Contador has been provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after he announced his positive test on Friday - but he insists he is the victim of contaminated food, saying he ate some contaminated meat brought in from Spain.

Even so, Contador, who tested positive for a minute quantity of the substance on July 21, professed himself in his interview broadcast on Saturday night to be "very optimistic" that he would be absolved.

"I think this will all be resolved in a favourable manner," the three-times champion insisted.

PezCycling News - What's Cool In Pro Cycling

So the amount is now 40 times and not 400 times but whatever the amount is, Contador must try and prove that he didn't ingest the substance knowingly. The Triple Tour de France winner has insisted that he is not guilty of doping and has even stated that he is willing to cut both his hands off to proove it! I'm not sure exactly what that would proove Bert but it certainly would provide a few more blood samples to test anyway!

UCI boss excludes Contador (for now) from anti-Spanish doper comment; SMH dobs him in anyway

Love the Sydney Morning Herald. McQuaid specifically excludes Contador from his comments, which target other Spanish riders who have been in the doping frame lately, yet the Herald still runs Contador's photo on the front cover of the online edition with a direct link to the article. Just join the dots I guess.

I don't think Contador needed to take clenbutorol - there are better ways to dope, after all - and the amount found was, as I said earlier, almost homeopathically small. Now it could still be a sign of blood doping, but equally it could be totally innocent. Whilst i don't particularly like the guy I still think we should be fair and just in this tar-and-feathering process.


Spain 'must wake up to problem'

Spain 'must wake up to problem'
Rupert Guinness
October 3, 2010

THE Spanish government has failed to do enough in the fight against drugs in sport, claims Union Cycliste International president Pat McQuaid.

His accusation follows the provisional suspension of Spain's former triple world cross country mountain bike champion Margarita Fullana for testing positive to erythropoietin [EPO] in an out of competition test on August 30. She still has the right to request and attend the analysis of her B sample.

Her positive test makes her the fourth Spanish cyclist to revealed for failing a drugs test in the past three days. The other three Spaniards are the recent Vuelta a Espana runner-up Ezequiel Mosquera and another strong Vuelta performer and Xacobeo Galicia teammate David Garcia Da Pena, who failed tests taken during the Spanish tour, and Oscar Sevilla who tested positive for hydroxyethyl [HES] at the Vuelta a Columbia on August 15.