Astarloza suspended

[Susan Westemeyer]

The UCI just announced that it has temporarily suspended Mikel Astarloza after a positive out-of-competition doping control from the end of June.

Susan

 

[Dr. Maserati]

The UCI just announced that it has temporarily suspended Mikel Astarloza after a positive out-of-competition doping control from the end of June.

Susan

Thanks for the breaking news Susan - there goes my pick for San Sebastian!

 

[Bala Verde]

Funny, he was #11 in this year's TdF, with a stage win (stage 16) and a third place in stage 8...

Here are his TdF 2009 results

He also came in 5th in this year's Dauphine (see results here) held between june 7th and June 14th

any news on the tested substance?

 

[issoisso]

Funny, he was #11 in this year's TdF, with a stage win (stage 16) and a third place in stage 3...

Here are his TdF 2009 results

any news on the tested substance?

EPO (recombinant, of course. nobody uses the original stuff)

 

[Bala Verde]

EPO (recombinant, of course. nobody uses the original stuff)

cheers!

I just read the article as well

 

[hfer07]

looks like the beginning of a possible TDF dirty list...sad news

 

[issoisso]

looks like the beginning of a possible TDF dirty list...sad news

The new detection methods used since April supposedly take longer. Which is why currently we're only up until samples from June 26th. Very soon they'll get to analysing test results for the Tour's samples...

 

[R.0.t.O]

EPO (recombinant, of course. nobody uses the original stuff)

They're ALL using the original EPO, we can say that for sure without chance of being sued. I'm using it right now

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

So we did actually have a positive for a TdF participant (sample not from TdF proper, but very close to)... didn't think it would happen.

Kinda sad. I know that no rider can be trusted 100% anymore, but I had some sympathy for his performance on the TdF.

 

[mitochondrion]

and it begins.....

 

[Dr. Maserati]

So we did actually have a positive for a TdF participant (sample not from TdF proper, but very close to)... didn't think it would happen.

Kinda sad. I know that no rider can be trusted 100% anymore, but I had some sympathy for his performance on the TdF.

Cheer up - Sandy Casar has probably just got another stage win for France

 

[issoisso]

Cheer up - Sandy Casar has probably just got another stage win for France

And risen to 11th overall

One more positive from the Tour and FDJ have 2 guys in the Top 10. Who'd a thunk it?

 

[Laszlo]

and it begins.....

my thoughts exactly.

Perhaps a few positives are more reassuring than absolutely none at all though, no ?

 

[Anonymous]

and it begins.....

No, no, it is like always, just a couple of "donkeys" who couldn't cut it otherwise...

 

[mistahsinclair]

and it begins.....

+3 or 4 or whatever now.

I was pretty sure there would be no positives DURING the TdF. Nnow that it's done and attention is away from it they can start coming out.

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

Huhuhu at the comment on Casar and FDJ.

But despite my undeniable frenchiness (I foam in the mouth every time I hear the name "Armstrong", etc...), I still do like the Basque Unofficial National Team.

Astarloza is still somewhat a second-tier catch.
Will the hammer fall above place 11?

 

[issoisso]

Huhuhu at the comment on Casar and FDJ.

Not sure what you mean, but rest assured I was in no way bashing FDJ

 

[Steampunk]

Kinda sad. I know that no rider can be trusted 100% anymore, but I had some sympathy for his performance on the TdF.

Me too. Sigh...

 

[issoisso]

http://www.fundacioneuskadi.com/pag...ar=1&ocultarp=1&Id=1589&cboanyo=2009&cbomes=7

Official statement by the team (paraphrased, obviously)

Mikel is innocent because our internal controls detected nothing, blah blah blah, we'll stand by him all the way, blah blah blah, B sample. blah


"our internal controls". right. as if.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Well, I can't say that I am surprised to hear Astarloza caught in the net, but a little dissapointed. At least he helped animate a stage in a somewhat dull tour IMO.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

....and BTW the phrase "innocent until proven guilty" translates to professional athletes as "denial until proven guilty"

 

[red_explosions]

No, no, it is like always, just a couple of "donkeys" who couldn't cut it otherwise...

Have to agree. If they take down a top 5 it might be a sign they're actually serious about anti-doping.

 

[issoisso]

Have to agree. If they take down a top 5 it might be a sign they're actually serious about anti-doping.

Unless I'm mistaken what he meant wasn't that.

He means that (like always), many people with eyepatches over both eyes and floaters on their arms and legs will soon come in here stating their "Absolute Unshakable Truth" that doping is not the norm, Astarloza was just a crap rider that got results because he doped while barely anyone else did, etc etc etc

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

Not sure what you mean, but rest assured I was in no way bashing FDJ

Sorry, the "Huhuhu" may not translate too well in English.
I was giggling along with you all, don't worry.

 

[issoisso]

Sorry, the "Huhuhu" may not translate too well in English.
I was giggling along with you all, don't worry.

It came across something like this