UCI: Italian Giro top favourite will be Bio-pass exposed in hours

[Escarabajo]

On a side note, would these results from Pellizotti scare the Ferrari clients for the upcoming Tour?

Probably not the Texan (Untouchable) but the others whoever they are (Levi, Nibali and others).

We'll see their performance.

 

[Wallace]

Wow, so Sastre came in second to Denis "Humanplasma" Menchov and Basso made the podium on his first GT return. One of the nice things about this sport: the races never really end.

 

[Bicicleta]

09 Giro final general classification
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 86.03.11
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini 0.41
3 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas 1.59
4 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team 3.46
5 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas 3.59
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 5.28
7 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo 8.43
8 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad 10.01
9 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) AG2R La Mondiale 11.13
10 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C. 11.28

 

[theyoungest]

The last Dutchies who did anything in big races except for Gesink, were T.Dekker (doped), E.Dekker (hematocrit level 50+ Verona 99) and Boogerd (most certainly doped).

Tend to think Gesink is clean, but you never know. If he is doped that would not come as a suprise either

It would. Don't talk BS. He's not exactly first on the list of potential dopers.

 

[hfer07]

according to Cycling News, Pellizotti received the warning back in july of 2009 prior to the TDF, but he was allowed to compete...
I wonder how the UCI name this guys just "a week" prior to the race-shouldn't they called off like two months before the race? this issue is becoming a UCI modus operandi to wash their hands by catching riders in the Giro and have the Tour intact of scandal...

 

[JayZee]

Is Pellizotti a big enough name to appease the "no big fish" crowd? I just want to know where the line is.

I think Basso spiked his water so he wouldn't have to be co-leader.

 

[theyoungest]

The implied Russian probably isn't Karpets, as he's been included today on Katusha's roster for the Giro, replacing Bandiera.

 

[Barrus]

Is Pellizotti a big enough name to appease the "no big fish" crowd? I just want to know where the line is.

I think Basso spiked his water so he wouldn't have to be co-leader.

He still is, if Gazetta is right in that Nibali will replace him

 

[Cobblestones]

... the International Cycling Union announces that disciplinary procedures have been requested against the following riders for apparent violation of the Anti-Doping Rules on the basis of the information provided by the blood profiles in their biological passports:

* Franco Pellizotti (ITA)
* Jesus Rosendo Prado (ESP)
* Tadej Valjavec (SLO)

Each rider mentioned above shall be accorded the right to the presumption of innocence until a final decision has been made on this matter.

So I cut out all of the fluff of the press release. When you read it, it doesn't sound like an immediate outright ban. Could they still ride (under the presumption of innocence) if their teams and/or race organizers were so inclined? Like Piti?

 

[issoisso]

The implied Russian probably isn't Karpets, as he's been included today on Katusha's roster for the Giro, replacing Bandiera.

Since still waiting on UCI confirmation of Scognamiglio, the russian and the other spanish guy;

That may mean there's no one else, but most likely it just means the UCI wasn't able to contact all the relevant parties in the case of each of those 3 riders before the end of the business day.

So, whenever they manage to (probably tomorrow) the UCI should officially announce Scognamiglio and the other two.

 

[Barrus]

So I cut out all of the fluff of the press release. When you read it, it doesn't sound like an immediate outright ban. Could they still ride (under the presumption of innocence) if their teams and/or race organizers were so inclined? Like Piti?

I do believe that this is the case for now. However I would not be surprised if there will be a provisional ban to ensure a case such as Valverde won't happen again, this could even come from a national doping agency, such as the Italian. I am also inclined to believe that Liquigas would not let him ride in the current situation

 

[theswordsman]

according to Cycling News, Pellizotti received the warning back in july of 2009 prior to the TDF, but he was allowed to compete...
I wonder how the UCI name this guys just "a week" prior to the race-shouldn't they called off like two months before the race? this issue is becoming a UCI modus operandi to wash their hands by catching riders in the Giro and have the Tour intact of scandal...

I'm afraid you need to reread it -it wasn't a great sentence. Pellizotti got the letter two months ago along with other riders who had abnormal values. His abnormal values date back to the 2009 Tour, but he had no idea they were watching him. So they sent out letters, had to allow 30 days for responses, had to have any responses evaluated, and it's today.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Pellizotti was informed by the UCI that he was under investigation two months ago after an unusual blood value was detected at a test taken just before the 2009 Tour de France

 

[Berzin]

I'm curious to see what the blood profiles were, and what exactly made said profiles so suspicious as to warrant a provisional ban.

Would love to compare them to the Armstrong charts from 2009.

 

[Hugh Januss]

I'm happy you don't mention Dutch riders. Although their performance in major races doesn't exactly raise any eyebrows, I'll give you that.

Originally Posted by Hugh Januss
Yes, and Italians, Belgians, French, Aussies, Americans, Germans, Luxemburgers (sp?) Spanish........well really, pro bikeracer does well in a major race, ergo.........

They are in that group............oh wait maybe not so much this year.......OK the Dutch get a pass by virtue of sucking.

 

[Bicicleta]

So if Pelizotti is stripped of his polka dot jersey then Egoi Martinez will inherit it.

 

[Zen Master]

Does anyone remember the story about famous Dr Ferrari who rode on a scooter following Nibali & Pellizotti with a stopwatch in hand ?!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pellizotti-and-nibali-deny-working-with-ferrari

 

[Moondance]

It would. Don't talk BS. He's not exactly first on the list of potential dopers.

So what? Just because The Softie doesn't have a cloud of specultion hanging above him doesn't make him a confirmed non-doper. He just hasn't been a serious target yet because he hasn't won anything big.

Rabobank doesn't exactly have a spotless reputation now, does it?

 

[Colm.Murphy]

So I cut out all of the fluff of the press release. When you read it, it doesn't sound like an immediate outright ban. Could they still ride (under the presumption of innocence) if their teams and/or race organizers were so inclined? Like Piti?

Looks like an odd way of communicating a "Non-Analytical Positive".

Which will beg another set of disciplinary and procedural questions. They did not come outright and call them "positive", nor did they make clear who they informed, though the NGB would seem to be the party, and then follow-on to the anti-doping agency per country...

What a mess this likely will become.

 

[El Oso]

I'm curious to see what the blood profiles were, and what exactly made said profiles so suspicious as to warrant a provisional ban.

Would love to compare them to the Armstrong charts from 2009.

Probably a spike in hemocrit and drop in reticulates (sp?) on a rest day followed by improved climbing

 

[santacruz]

this is wonderful news.. the giro is looking cleaner already.

 

[Cerberus]

I'm curious to see what the blood profiles were, and what exactly made said profiles so suspicious as to warrant a provisional ban.

Would love to compare them to the Armstrong charts from 2009.

I'm not sure that it will be published. The UCI doesn't want riders to know exactly what a suspicious profile is since it would allow them to just skirt the limits. They said something like that as an explanation for why they didn't tell rider they would face targeted testing because of their passport. Of cause they might have to make it public in a court case, or the riders could publish them. I would certainly like to see them myself.

 

[python]

<snip> nor did they make clear who they informed.

did you read the uci press release ? it was both in this thread and easily available via a 5 second search. pays to check before making such statements.

 

[theyoungest]

So what? Just because The Softie doesn't have a cloud of specultion hanging above him doesn't make him a confirmed non-doper. He just hasn't been a serious target yet because he hasn't won anything big.

Rabobank doesn't exactly have a spotless reputation now, does it?

That's not the point. Il Tifoso di Dekker said it wouldn't be a surprise if The Crybaby turned out to be a doper. Well, I for one would be surprised. I'm not saying it isn't a possibility, just like it's a possibility that Bram Tankink will win this year's Tour de France.

 

[595RED]

09 Giro final general classification
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 86.03.11
2 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini 0.41
3 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas 1.59
4 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team 3.46
5 Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas 3.59
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 5.28
7 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo 8.43
8 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad 10.01
9 Tadej Valjavec (Slo) AG2R La Mondiale 11.13
10 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C. 11.28

I knew it was that filthy pr1ck Pelizotti, too many long breaks in the Tours mountains day in day out to be real. Reminded me of Ricco.

 

[BroDeal]

I am surprised that the UCI has gone after someone as big as Pellizotti. His blood values must be so out of whack that the UCI does not think Pellizotti wil be able to mount a credible defense.

Doing this a week before the Giro is just stupid. The delay also makes you wonder how many other riders get notified. How many of those explain their values or change their doping technique so that they are given a pass? We know the UCI has been warning people at least before Hamilton was finally taken down in 2004.

It looks like Pellizotti and the others are now in an inescapable limbo constructed by the UCI. They have to explain their blood values or get banned, but there is no scientific study that has been made to show what normal values for an elite cyclist should be. In effect they will be forced to prove their innocence. This seems like it could run into problems if a conviction is taken up with a real court. It should be the UCI that has to prove that their blood values show clear proof of doping. If their lawyers sucessfully argue that the proof of doping is insufficient or the case is legally flawed then riders will likely remain in limbo. Even if they beat the case, they could very well end up like Sevilla and Mancebo.

The difference between the treatment of these riders and Valverde is stark. Strange blood values, of which there are no standards for what is considered proof of doping, result in riders being kept out of their goal race of the year. Yet Valverde, who clear evidence of doping exists, remains free to ride and win. If I were running a fed like CONI, I would be tempted to announce that no action will be taken until Valverde's federation takes action against Valverde.

Somewhere there is a thread where we made predictions for which big rider would be the next to get busted. I cannot find it. Pellizotti was chosed by a few people as I recall.