BMC Suspend Ballan and Santambroggio

[craig1985]

The Italian Professional Cyclists Association (ACCPI) have slammed BMC for their decision to suspend Ballan and Santambroggio.

Riders' association questions BMC suspensions | Cyclingnews.com

 

[JPM London]

Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_papp
Regarding FC in 2009: "Cancellara won the prologue of the Tour of California for the second year running. However, he then had a dip in form and could not defend his title at the Tirreno-Adriatico while not performing to his usual high level in any of the spring classics." - Wikipedia

So are you implying FC was warned in 2009, which is why his form dipped? If so, what about this last few weeks - he was given the go-ahead to drink the golden elixir again?

I like double-edged swords!

Basically because he shows signs of being human when his form actually dips at some point in his season we can conclude he doped... But on the other hand: If his form never had dipped we could also conclude he was doping, because that would be unreal...

Maybe the only proof of him NOT doping would be if he was always in bad form. But wouldn't that just imply that he was laying low? So that way he even more definitely was a doper... Looking forward to next season already: If he doesn't win anything then, we will have the final proof that he has always doped! Or something... Oh no, my head spins...

 

[brun sweater]

Suspending Ballan is an outrage. Based on the information the public have been given, there's absolutely nothing to suggest that he have broken the rules! For all we know, he's being investigated because he rode for Lampre, and thats it!

 

[auscyclefan94]

Suspending Ballan is an outrage. Based on the information the public have been given, there's absolutely nothing to suggest that he have broken the rules! For all we know, he's being investigated because he rode for Lampre, and thats it!

Then every single rider would of been suspended from when the supposable "doping ring" was apparent.

 

[Escarabajo]

Then every single rider would of been suspended from when the supposable "doping ring" was apparent.

+1.

Usually when a team suspends a rider there is something else than the public does not know.

 

[gattopardo]

So are you implying FC was warned in 2009, which is why his form dipped? If so, what about this last few weeks - he was given the go-ahead to drink the golden elixir again?

Cancellara quitted ToC during stage 1 because of fever. A few days later he crashed and injured his shoulder. Enough to explain his form, i reckon.

http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/feb09/california09/?id=results/california091
http://www.cyclingnews.com/editions/first-edition-cycling-news-march-5-2009

 

[flicker]

People seem to always look the worst in people. Could it just be that they don't want a dirty image of the team! Prudhomme said that BMC did the right thing. MS and AB were not riding the tour anyway. Could it be possible that they are just doing the right thing and suspending these riders because they are involved in anything?

Those Lampre boys are as dirty as sin. Good on Ochowicz for suspending B. and S. Bad PR those 2.

 

[Nearly]

+1.

Usually when a team suspends a rider there is something else than the public does not know.

I can only imagine this is correct because I, for one, have not seen anything that would warrant suspension as yet. Perhaps "under investigation" is code for something more than its literal meaning e.g. this would not have been allowed to get out if there was not some sort of case against those named. BMC seem to have confirmed that by their actions but surely it has to be under investigation for something more specific than fog? May be they are putting pressure on the authorities to put up?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Those Lampre boys are as dirty as sin. Good on Ochowicz for suspending B. and S. Bad PR those 2.

Yes, bad PR for BMC even though the scandal involves them when they were at lampre.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

BMC issued the following statement this afternoon:


Santa Rosa, California - 2010-05-02

BMC Racing Team: Statement Regarding Mauro Santambrogio

The BMC Racing Team has concluded its preliminary internal investigation regarding rider Mauro Santambrogio. The BMC Racing Team has concluded that there is no indication that Mauro Santambrogio was involved in any doping in connection with his former team, Lampre. The findings of the BMC Racing Team are also in line with the view of the police investigation to date. Hence, the BMC Racing Team will no longer withhold Mauro Santambrogio from competition. We are pleased that the findings from our own investigation and that of the police have turned up no evidence of
wrong-doing by Mauro Santambrogio. The view of the Italian inquiry police comes at good time, as it encourages us to enter Mauro Santambrogio in the Giro d'Italia.

- BMC Racing Team President Jim Ochowicz


Susan

 

[luckyboy]

Seeing as the Mantova police said they found no evidence against him, we haven't heard much from them. Haven't heard anything on anyone else either since the investigation started..

 

[Moondance]

Those guys are probably out too [referring to Ballan and Santambrogio being in the BMC Giro team]... Although it wouldn't surprise me if the self-imposed ban gets lifted in the next two weeks.

NAILED IT!!!

 

[Colm.Murphy]

BMC issued the following statement this afternoon:


Santa Rosa, California - 2010-05-02

BMC Racing Team: Statement Regarding Mauro Santambrogio

The BMC Racing Team has concluded its preliminary internal investigation regarding rider Mauro Santambrogio. The BMC Racing Team has concluded that there is no indication that Mauro Santambrogio was involved in any doping in connection with his former team, Lampre. The findings of the BMC Racing Team are also in line with the view of the police investigation to date. Hence, the BMC Racing Team will no longer withhold Mauro Santambrogio from competition. We are pleased that the findings from our own investigation and that of the police have turned up no evidence of
wrong-doing by Mauro Santambrogio. The view of the Italian inquiry police comes at good time, as it encourages us to enter Mauro Santambrogio in the Giro d'Italia.

- BMC Racing Team President Jim Ochowicz


Susan

To the extent that they omit mention of Ballan, it could be inferred that there is some evidence against him.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

It's quite amusing. The BMC internal investigation, what could that possibly have turned up since the police were investigating Lampre so Lampre surely couldn't provide BMC with that evidence, and all of the charges pertained to his being at Lampre, not BMC. This is the least worthwhile piece of character rehab since the Caisse d'Epargne bosses provided character references for Valverde in his CAS case, ignoring the fact that the blood bag in question dates from 2004, and he signed for Illes Balears in 2005.