Serebryakov tests positive

[zigmeister]

Euskatel and Russian doping taking it seriously?

Well, I will start to believe that they all changed their ways when Katousha starts to actually do something about all the crazy doping on that squad the last 5yrs...ridiculous those guys at times.

 

[RobbieCanuck]

And who says the team wasn´t aware of it?
Don´t be so naive, nothing today suggest it´s a cleaner sport, just that the methods and drugs are better and harder to find.

Serebryakov says. Euskatel says. And I understand your skepticism given the last 25 years, but you have not presented any evidence that Euskatel knew, just the usual boring jaded negativity and cynical Clinic speculation they did.

I am not naive to suggest the sport is cleaner, but maybe it is making small steps. The walk before you run idea. I think the sport is slightly cleaner. I hope the sport is slightly cleaner.

The bottom line is the riders and teams must be transparent with cycling fans and in this instance at least Euskatel seems to be doing that!

 

[skimazk]

Alexander Serebryakov

06.06.2013

At the UCI's request, the WADA-accredited Cologne Laboratory has re-analysed a urine sample provided by Mr Alexander Serebryakov during an out-of-competition control on 21 February 2012.

This reanalysis, carried out in accordance with new WADA technical documents concerning the identification of EPO, revealed the presence of EPO in the rider's sample.

The UCI has thus informed the Russian athlete Alexander Serebryakov of a further abnormal analysis result (presence of EPO).

The UCI had previously notified Mr Serebryakov of an abnormal analysis result (presence of EPO) on 5 April pertaining to one of the samples provided during an out-of-competition control on 18 March 2013. Mr Serebryakov was provisionally suspended.

The provisional suspension of Mr Alexander Serebryakov will remain in effect until a hearing by the Russian Cycling Federation determines whether the rider has breached the UCI Anti-Doping Rules as defined by Article 21 of these Rules.

Mr Alexander Serebryakov has the right to request the analysis of his B sample in his presence.

In accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and its own Anti-Doping Rules, the UCI will not provide any further information at this point.



UCI Communication Services

 

[skimazk]

Alexander Serebrjakov (Russian: Александр Серебряков) (Arzamas, September 28, 1987) is a Russian cyclist riding for Euskaltel-Euskadi since 2013. On April 6, 2013 it was announced that he has been tested for doping. He positively tested to an out of competition control on March 18, and was immediately fired by his team Euskaltel.

Victories

2010
Piccolo Giro di Lombardia
2011
2nd and 4th stage Five Rings of Moscow
Tour of Casentino
2012
5th stage Tour of Korea
Philadelphia International Championship
2nd and 5th stage Tour of China I
1st and 2nd stage Tour of China II
3rd, 4th and 9th stage Tour of Hainan
3rd and 5th stage Tour of Taihu

 

[Lanark]

Could this be the Russian that Gazzetta hinted about? Or did they specifcally state that the Russian rider was caught during the Giro?

 

[hrotha]

Could this be the Russian that Gazzetta hinted about? Or did they specifcally state that the Russian rider was caught during the Giro?

That would be very soddy journalism, as we already knew Serebryakov's A-sample was positive for EPO. This is weird though. They speak of a second analysis of the A-sample, distinct from the analysis of the B-sample which he's still entitled to?

edit: wait, they re-analyzed a different A-sample that had apparently been cleared before, presumably using that new method, so he now has two positives. It would be great if they did that retrospective testing on riders that weren't already suspended, but hey, maybe they were just calibrating it or something.

 

[jonjungel]

So a new test, eh..
I guess this explains why DiLuca said he was "surprised"

 

[observer]

The question is, why go after this guy with an old sample like this? Either its an easy target for publicity, or they knew the sample was dirty and was testing the new detection method.

 

[Gregga]

The question is, why go after this guy with an old sample like this? Either its an easy target for publicity, or they knew the sample was dirty and was testing the new detection method.

They probably had a list of suspicious tests but couldn't go after those riders so far. Now they can thanks to the new protocol. I just can't believe they don't have big names in their list. 12 years ago we were thinking the same about the brand new EPO test "why just small fish", now we know why.

 

[SundayRider]

They probably had a list of suspicious tests but couldn't go after those riders so far. Now they can thanks to the new protocol. I just can't believe they don't have big names in their list. 12 years ago we were thinking the same about the brand new EPO test "why just small fish", now we know why.

Its a bit of a myth that they never catch the 'big fish', granted Armstrong was never officially caught by a test, but plenty of others were.

 

[Gregga]

Its a bit of a myth that they never catch the 'big fish', granted Armstrong was never officially caught by a test, but plenty of others were.

I was talking about the first years of the EPO test... do you remember any big fish ? I don't.

 

[SundayRider]

I was talking about the first years of the EPO test... do you remember any big fish ? I don't.

Suppose they were caught/implicated by other things, later on.

 

[ToreBear]

I was talking about the first years of the EPO test... do you remember any big fish ? I don't.

I think ferrari had an inside line into that test, and it's weaknesses, and he came up with a solution. I think this was the time when Conconi was still involved in anti doping or something.

So if the top riders had info from the big doctors, like ferrari, it's not that strange that they would avoid a positive, and probably only deliver suspicious/inconclusive samples.

 

[manafana]

interesting comments from someone who raced him on twitter saying they were waiting for this to come out

 

[northstar]

There are two Serebryakov threads. Can the mods fix that. Thx.

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=20375&highlight=serebryakov

 

[DirtyWorks]

The question is, why go after this guy with an old sample like this? Either its an easy target for publicity, or they knew the sample was dirty and was testing the new detection method.

That's one of the outstanding mysteries of the UCI. I would argue they are sending a mesage to the high-value riders to lay off the EPO. It's kind of a harsh thing to say about a rider. I'm sure he has his fans.

Also keep in mind Russian Olympic Athletics in general has been giving out positives like Halloween candy this year. Why? No idea. It could be generically related to the fact Sochi is hosting a games. How exactly? No clue.

No way to know with any confidence unless there's something newer posted on the topic somewhere.

 

[DirtyWorks]

So if the top riders had info from the big doctors, like ferrari, it's not that strange that they would avoid a positive, and probably only deliver suspicious/inconclusive samples.

Don't forget that the head of the UCI's favorite WADA lab in Switzerland was taking meetings with riders/DSs at the request of the UCI. This illustrates the real authority the sports federation has over anti-doping. This hasn't changed.

 

[red_flanders]

There are two Serebryakov threads. Can the mods fix that. Thx.

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=20375&highlight=serebryakov

Done, thanks.

 

[DirtyWorks]

I was talking about the first years of the EPO test... do you remember any big fish ? I don't.

Well, that's kind of a vague benchmark. The presence of a legitimate EPO test does not mean EPO dopers will fail it.

My recollection is the Hematocrit threshold of 50% was established prior to the EPO test. Crossing the threshold wasn't a positive, it was time to take a UCI mandated vacation.

Then came the first EPO test in use, no WADA. Sometime later, WADA is finally implemented. Hein delays agreeing to the WADA standards until the last possible moment. Then the doping switches to CERA, then rhEPO.

I could have that mixed up. Please correct me if I do.

Armstrong was testing in suspicious range regularly over the course of his career. In 2009/10 his positives were simply ignored. My point is, the presence of a legitimate test does not mean dopers will fail it.

FWIW, One test that took elite cyclists by surprise was the CERA test during the TdF. That was fun. I recall the phrase "Cleanest peloton ever." being used regularly at the time.

Zomnegan was running the Giro at the same time as the CERA positives and publicly promised samples would be retested. Only, that didn't happen. Months later, Zomnengan whipped out UCI approved excuse #2 "It's in the past. Why focus on the past? Cycling is moving forward." No kidding.

As mentioned, Ferrari and his former boss at University, Conconi had quite a bit of advanced knowledge based on Conconi/Ferrari and others work doping Italian cyclists using IOC funding designated for researching an EPO test. They would know to great specificity how to defeat the tests.

 

[hiero2]

Luckily its only eastern europeans that dope these days. Everyone else called a truce in 2009.

Huh? Did I miss something? Is DiLuca from Moscow now? Or has Italy packed up and moved from embarrassment? Well, no, they wouldn't do that - that would have meant they took Danilo with them.

I didn't read the whole thread - but I'm wondering about the coincidence of all these major positives and McQuaid facing some competition for re-election. I'm sure someone else has wondered the same thing.

Oh, and btw, I'm also going to take the twitters and comments coming out of the peloton at their word - meaning that these catches speak to forward progress in the anti-doping fight - and more people getting on the pro-active anti-doping bandwagon. I know many of our frequent posters here disagree, and many have made snarky comments already about same. Well, it is what it is. Cheers, all!

 

[DirtyWorks]

I didn't read the whole thread - but I'm wondering about the coincidence of all these major positives and McQuaid facing some competition for re-election. I'm sure someone else has wondered the same thing.

I'm with you on this one. It's clear though that WADA had improved the EPO test procedure and it was finally implemented. It wasn't a secret as it was made public in notes of one of WADA's 2012 meetings.

Maybe it's the case the smart dopers were aware and the lesser prepatore's miscalculated? <shrug>

My crackpot theory is Pat's being tough on doping for both his election and the 100th TdF. This too shall pass. If Sky's Cookson gets dragged down in doping controversy, then we'll have a clear indicator of Pat and Hein's intentions.

 

[ToreBear]

That's one of the outstanding mysteries of the UCI. I would argue they are sending a mesage to the high-value riders to lay off the EPO. It's kind of a harsh thing to say about a rider. I'm sure he has his fans.

Also keep in mind Russian Olympic Athletics in general has been giving out positives like Halloween candy this year. Why? No idea. It could be generically related to the fact Sochi is hosting a games. How exactly? No clue.

No way to know with any confidence unless there's something newer posted on the topic somewhere.

The reason the Russian anti doping fight seems more effective is that it is more effective. It was likely part of a promise made by the Russians that they would take doping seriously as part of their Olympics bid.

IIRC there was set up a tripartite deal between Norwegian antidoping, Wada and the Russian authorities to get RUSADA set up to WADA standards. Why Norwegian AD took this job, I'm not sure, It's probably a combination of factors, like, Norwegian AD being very capabable, Norway having traditionally been able to maintain a good relationship with Russia, and the fact that we are into many of the same sports.

The Russians are popping dopers like Armstrong were popping pills. There are just a huge amount of them in Russia. I think one reason for this is that doping is so ingrained in their athletes development culture, that without doping, they really struggle to give their athletes a way to improve clean.

Russia is being cleaned up in a top down manner, but I hope they are able to improve the training environment for their athletes with better educated coaches etc.

Don't forget that the head of the UCI's favorite WADA lab in Switzerland was taking meetings with riders/DSs at the request of the UCI. This illustrates the real authority the sports federation has over anti-doping. This hasn't changed.

That was over 10 years ago. Personally I think there are now limits as to what kind of fudging can be done to serve nefarious purposes. The Wada code, makes that more difficult. Also everyone is hyper vigilant on how the UCI does its job, so I have doubts whether fudging is still possible.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Four years for two positives within the space of a month.
Isn't that a bit tough?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/serebryakov-banned-for-4-years-in-epo-case

 

[sniper]

wow, yes, that is tough, especially since the retrospective testing they did on him isn't consitently done (if at all) on other riders.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Seeing as four years is a possibility at present as there is the standard two year ban plus up to two further years for aggravating circumstances, maybe there are aggravating circumstances. Maybe he was obstructive in the process of retrospective tests, maybe he insisted it was a one-off which showed he was lying when the retrospective tests showed up the other positive. I don't know, but it may or may not be harsh.