Cycling News Flash for August 9, 2004

Edited by Jeff Jones

Camenzind positive for EPO

Swiss cyclist Oscar Camenzind (Phonak) has tested positive for EPO, and has been pulled out of the Swiss Olympic Team. The result was confirmed by the Swiss Olympic Association, which said that it was still deciding whether to send a substitute for Camenzind.

Camenzind was tested on July 22 by the Swiss Olympic Committee's anti-doping commission and traces of EPO were found in his urine A sample. Camenzind has not asked for a B sample analysis. Thus, he has been fired by his Phonak team in accordance with its anti-doping policy and been withdrawn from the Swiss Olympic team.

In a statement issued by Phonak, Camenzind said that he has accepted full responsibility for the incident and has absolved the Phonak team of any blame. "The team has nothing to do with this incident," said Camenzind.

Phonak's team manager Urs Freuler clarified the team's position on doping. "Any rider who is tested positive in a race or in training for a race for a performance-enhancing substance or who has such substances on his person, will have to reckon with immediate dismissal," he said.

32 year old Camenzind won the World Championship and Giro Di Lombardia in 1998, as well as the Tour de Suisse in 2000 and Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2001.

Previous News     Next News

(All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2004)