The Dope Test Process

[MartinGT]

With the Impey thing coming out now. Why has it taken 5 months for this to come out?

Why does it take so long?

I follow Jose Been on Twitter and she posted this

Which annoyed me slightly as she seemed to make out it should be kept quiet before such a large event, but I think she is making out that its taken too long for this to come through the system.

If he has a pos sample in Feb, surly it should be pushed to the front to have a B sample checked ASAP.

 

[King Boonen]

With the Impey thing coming out now. Why has it taken 5 months for this to come out?

Why does it take so long?

I follow Jose Been on Twitter and she posted this

Which annoyed me slightly as she seemed to make out it should be kept quiet before such a large event, but I think she is making out that its taken too long for this to come through the system.

If he has a pos sample in Feb, surly it should be pushed to the front to have a B sample checked ASAP.

The sample was taken in February. There has been no details released as to when it was analysed and his national body body were informed of the finding. That information is crucial.

 

[MartinGT]

The sample was taken in February. There has been no details released as to when it was analysed and his national body body were informed of the finding. That information is crucial.

Well thats true. I.e taken in Feb, tested in June. But again, why the delay?

 

[King Boonen]

Well thats true. I.e taken in Feb, tested in June. But again, why the delay?

There can be many reasons but a delay in any type of sample being run is usual unless they are time critical. We currently have waits of up to two months in busy periods and most of our samples are generated internally. It isn't ideal but it isn't instantly ringing alarm bells.

you then have the paperwork, checking, verifying, reporting to national body, their internal checking system if it exists and only then is a rider told. There are lots of places that you can see where this could easily be slowed down, intentionally or unintentionally.

 

[MartinGT]

Yeh and as per the Impey thread, there is this too

http://www.bicycling.co.za/news-people/why-we-delayed-daryl-impeys-positive-finding/

 

[More Strides than Rides]

Posted this originally in the Ulissi thread, then just now in Impey's thread. Posting it again for giggles

So, the International Standards for testing is ambiguous, and The code is not specific. I found more specific guidelines from a documentof proposed ammendments and questions from NADOs. UKAD. NADOs can have their own guidelines for notification of athletes USADA has nothing clear on their website except cute yellow and red buttons for info about urine and blood tests blood. UKADrules were a little more specific.

"Reporting of “A” Sample results should occur within ten (10) working days of receipt of the Sample."

The “B” Sample analysis should occur as soon as possible and should take place no later than seven (7) working days starting the first working day following request of the Testing Authority
, unless ..."


National ADAs have to report adverse results within 20 days of the hearing determining the positive result. (paraphrased from IST)

Heres a timeline for an athlete taking every available day to delay:

Day 1: Sample Collection
(__ days for travel)
Day 2/3?: Receipt of A sample
Day 12: Test results occur
Day __(15)__: Athlete notified of Adverse finding

UKAD says notification is in writing ASAP. 2-3 days for snail mail?.*

Athlete has 10 days from the receipt of charge to request a hearing

Notice of Charge defines a date and time within 7 days of athlete's (anticipated) receipt of charge for B sample analysis.
Athlete responds y/n to request to be present in the B sample analysis.

Day 22: B sample Analysis, athlete/rep amy or may not be present

If B sample confirms A, then a provisional suspension is handed out confidentially to the related parties.
Day 25: Athlete requests hearing:

-expedited hearings occur within 14 days of the provisional suspension
- regular hearings' timeline is unclear, but presumably at least 14 days

Day 39 (at least): expedited (if opted) hearing occurs. regular hearing occurs later

Day 59: latest edge of the window to report results: it sounds like the NADO stays confidential up to this point unless the related parties release info, but could release its own info outside of this window.



So, 59 working days, and probably longer if the athlete really wanted to stretch it out. I'm guessing JTL is in a purgatory between the request for hearing, a (confidential?) provisional suspension, and a confidential appeal. Ullissi fastracked by not asking for a hearing, but probably opted for and waited for B sample analysis.

 

[Almeisan]

Damn, another masking agent positive. Real PED remains undetected.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Well thats true. I.e taken in Feb, tested in June. But again, why the delay?

I know in regards to some Idiot Masters Fatties getting sanctioned in the U.S., the announcement comes after all parties have more or less agree on the sanction. I don't know if this varies by country or sport or whatever else.

At any given time, there are at least three parties involved, the NADO, the national cycling federation, the athlete and all of their lawyers. That's not really a formula for speedy resolution.

The most memorable exception to the slow times I can recall was Landis who was hearing about the progress of his case in the press. I tend to believe that was a Verbruggen/Armstrong inspired positive.