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.