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

[Cobblestones]

Let me just reference the Pechstein thread, since it comes up from time to time.

Also, with respect to Astarloa, Caucchioli etc. I believe what we have so far are suspensions, but not actual doping convictions. The riders in question were dropped by their teams or retired.

I think this was actually the worst possible outcome. The UCI went after small fry and met little to no resistance. So it doesn't actually give any precedence for the usefulness of passport-based bans in a sports arbitration court.

This time, they went after a fairly successful middle-age (32) rider. There is a chance that the rider might fight this in court. Maybe Franco doesn't think it's time to retire yet. And maybe Leakygas will keep him under contract (just as Caisse let's Piti race for them). So, it could be we see a legal battle where the issue is decided one way or the other (hopefully it's going to be less of a mess than the Pechstein case).

ETA: and I see Valjavec implicated. So that's another fairly successful rider. Chances for a court decision are increasing. He's what? 33? A little too early for retirement. He might fight it.

 

[Anonymous]

Your friendly neighbourhood slovenian.

No surprise there.

another former phonak rider

 

[titan_90]

Pellizotti out of Giro d'Italia

 

[issoisso]

Who, by the way, rides for one of those supposedly clean French teams.

No one with at least some knowledge of the workings of french teams will ever even begin to ever dream of saying the word "clean" in the same sentence as "AG2R". Or until recently "Agritubel"

The french teams cannot be lumped together any more than Radioshack and Columbia can be lumped together. In fact, no more than Amore & Vita and [insert random other italian team]

 

[Michielveedeebee]

pelizotti is not allowed to race the Giro becaus of the Bio-Passport. It's propably him. Shame I liked him..

 

[theyoungest]

No one with at least some knowledge of the workings of french teams will ever even begin to ever dream of saying the word "clean" in the same sentence as "AG2R". Or until recently "Agritubel"

The french teams cannot be lumped together any more than Radioshack and Columbia can be lumped together. In fact, no more than Amore & Vita and [insert random other italian team]

Sorry, confused my French teams a little. Just goes to show how little I care for ol' Valjavec. In utter ignorance, I sign this letter.

 

[Cobblestones]

So ... who's the Russian? I doubt it's Menchov, but if it is, last year's Giro podium is pretty much busted.

Is there bad blood (no pun intended) between the UCI and RCS Sport? The timing of these announcements would be impeccable, if so.

 

[Father Jack]

Ooops - another Giro without the Italian champion - they should have let Simioni ride last year.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Pellizotti out of Giro d'Italia

Indeed pretty lame

 

[bicing]

Ooops - another Giro without the Italian champion - they should have let Simioni ride last year.

pellizotti not pozzatto dude...

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

Reports in Spain say that it is Pellizotti.

Here is the article if you can read spanish.

http://www.as.com/ciclismo/articulo...ti-correr-giro/dasclm/20100503dasdascic_4/Tes

LIke all the other stories so far, that is simply citing the Gazzetta story.

The German news agencies are quoting UCI spokesman Carpani as saying a press release will be issued shortly with names in it.

Susan

 

[Escarabajo]

Krohnplatz 2008 is when I solved the case ;p

+1.

Besides compare him 4-5 years ago to his performance last couple of years. That's a good jump right there.

 

[Ad Rock]

So if they go back and check the Giro samples more closely and Pellizotti was doped then.... does that mean Carlos Sastre moves from 4th-->3rd-->2nd?

 

[Father Jack]

Sorry - always get these two mixed up!

 

[theswordsman]

I wonder if a ban based on th Bio Passport would stick. Look at the speed skater Pechstein's case. There are always several possible medical "explanations" to justify abnormal values.

They sent the riders letters giving them thirty days to submit satisfactory medical reasons for the abnormal values. That time has passed, and the UCI has had a chance to evaluate anything that would have been submitted and decide whether or not they had an airtight case.

The UCI has been saying forever that there were riders with suspicious values, but they hadn't moved because they were studying the legalities to make sure they didn't lose in court. That's why so far they've only used targeted testing and claimed small victories when there was a positive test. Then the rider could be punished under the normal system.

 

[Oldman]

So ... who's the Russian? I doubt it's Menchov, but if it is, last year's Giro podium is pretty much busted.

Is there bad blood (no pun intended) between the UCI and RCS Sport? The timing of these announcements would be impeccable, if so.

Saw a replay of Tirrento-Adriatico last night. Several Russians prominent and one Kazakh. The timing would have been right for testing on that race. Sorry if someone else pointed this out aleady as I've been too busy to read.

 

[Cobblestones]

They sent the riders letters giving them thirty days to submit satisfactory medical reasons for the abnormal values. That time has passed, and the UCI has had a chance to evaluate anything that would have been submitted and decide whether or not they had an airtight case.

So did the international skating union, I presume, and look where the case is today.

 

[Mellow Velo]

So if they go back and check the Giro samples more closely and Pellizotti was doped then.... does that mean Carlos Sastre moves from 4th-->3rd-->2nd?

Yeah and Gibo won the 2006 Giro, finishing third behind 2 confirmed OP boys. Doesn't work that way.

Is Cadel Evans really Pat McQuaid's love child?

 

[theyoungest]

Saw a replay of Tirrento-Adriatico last night. Several Russians prominent and one Kazakh. The timing would have been right for testing on that race. Sorry if someone else pointed this out aleady as I've been too busy to read.

What's your point? Russians and Kazakhs do well, ergo they're doping?

 

[Hugh Januss]

What's your point? Russians and Kazakhs do well, ergo they're doping?

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

 

[Anonymous]

2nd Italian with an abnormal Biological Passport: Scognamiglio (ISD)

so just the two spaniards and the russian to come

 

[Cobblestones]

The German news agencies are quoting UCI spokesman Carpani as saying a press release will be issued shortly with names in it.

Susan

Shortly means today? They better hurry up it's getting late in Switzerland.

 

[hfer07]

kind of disappointed if Pellizoti is confirmed by UCI to be in that list- I enjoyed his last years performance-which looking back it kind of make sense with what has been speculated on his "ferrari" connection.. too good to be truth is simply too good to be truth....
so my money still goes for Sastre

 

[Oldman]

What's your point? Russians and Kazakhs do well, ergo they're doping?

No. Just responding to the query "which Russian" and relating it to the Stage 4 TA coverage. Vino and several Russian riders were prominent in the action. So were some high-profile Italians and a French rider.

 

[titleshot]

Thats too bad I really like the liquigas team.