First Edition Cycling News for October 25, 2006Edited by Sue George & Steve Medcroft Tension builds between ASO and UCIGoverning body to update AIGCP on fight against doping
By Shane Stokes
The ongoing rift between the UCI and ASO appears to be no closer to a resolution with the news that the latter body has declined to invite president Pat McQuaid to the 2007 Tour de France presentation on Thursday, and has also refused to partake in ongoing discussions on the way forward in the fight against drug use in the sport.
The battle against doping will be amongst the subjects to be discussed at the Annual General Meeting of the AIGCP (Association Internationale des Groupes Cyclistes Professionnels), to be held on Wednesday in Paris.
The manager of the UCI’s antidoping department, Mrs. Anne Gripper, will give a presentation about the current direction of the efforts, covering areas which include the modification of existing rules and an outline of the studies which are currently being made. UCI President Pat McQuaid will also be in attendance and will speak with key players in the AIGCP on this and other subjects.
In the aftermath of the Landis affair, the UCI set up an in-depth audit of the sport and the factors which may contribute to doping in cycling. The meeting will give an update as to the progress of this study, as well as discussions of other measures such as the possible introduction of compulsory DNA profiling, longitudinal health studies and a toughening of the existing tests which are in place.
It is understood that the UCI has already commissioned anti-doping experts to look into these areas, particularly DNA testing, and an update of this situation is expected to be given. Meanwhile the top teams are expected to reaffirm their commitment to the ProTour Code of Ethics at the meeting.
Tensions continue to build
The UCI issued a press release on Tuesday relating to the AIGCP meeting, in which the governing body outlined its strong disappointment with the ASO decision.
“The UCI states that a proposal for collaboration in the fight against doping which was recently addressed to ASO, the organisers of the Tour de France, was curtly refused,” stated the release. “The UCI strongly deplores this action." To read the full news feature, click here. Cyclingnews will provide complete coverage the 2007 Tour de France route when it is unveiled Thursday. Nys extends lead in UCI 'cross rankings
The UCI updated their rankings after this weekend's second World Cup in Kalmthout, Belgium. Sven Nys (Rabobank), winner of both World Cups, extended his lead over world champion Erwin Vervecken (Fidea) to 195 points. Nys will continue racing in the white UCI-leader's jersey during upcoming races. Frenchman Francis Mourey (fdjeux), the only challenger to the dominant Belgians, finished second in Kalmthout and climbed up from tenth to third in the rankings. Belgians Sven Vanthourenhout (Rabobank) and Bart Wellens (Fidea) round out the top five. The 25-year-old, American Ryan Trebon (Kona) is the first non-European in the rankings; he snuck into the top ten. Trebon won the important Granogue cross race recently. Compatriot Timothy Johnson (Health Net) follows Trebon as the only other rider not based in Europe to break the top 20. Cyclists recruited to test banned performance-enhancing substanceResearchers at the University of Auckland Department of Sport and Exercise Science are looking for cyclists willing to take Synacthen, a possible performance enhancing substance. They are recruiting healthy, non-smoking, trained male cyclists, 20-35 years of age, to participate in a study looking at the potential effect of Synacthen (ACTH mimetic hormone) administration on acute and subsequent cycling performance. Results will be considered by elite athletes and sport antidoping agencies to clearly state on the performance effect of the manipulation of corticotrophins pathways. ACTH is produced in the pituitary glands and stimulates the adrenal grand to produce steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids). Active racers need not apply–participants are reminded that they will not be able to compete during the protocol and for one month afterward because Synacthen is a forbidden substance. The Australian Institute of Sport previously conducted a similar study to investigate the performance enhancing capabilities of EPO. Stevens cyclo-cross team calls it a dayAs a result of the doping allegations against German cyclist Johannes Sickmuller, the Stevens Racing Team has decided not to apply for next year’s license. Werner Von Hacht explained to www.rad-net.de, that the team does not want to be connected with doping, "although we, as a team, have nothing to do with all of this." Current team members Christian Heule, Tim Van Nuffel, and Camiel Van Den Berg will have to look for another team. See also: Cyclo-cross news & racing round-up for October 21, 2006 Óscar Sevilla ready for return to pro peletonBy Antonio J. Salmerón
Oscar Sevilla said that while he was morally wounded by his alleged involvement in Operación Puerto, he is ready to move on. "All that has happened has fortified to me physically and psychologically. I am already training and I believe that I am going to render my maximum, because I am also totally recovered of the injury that decreased my performance during previous years. I am better than ever", Óscar Sevilla said to Cyclingnews yesterday. The Spanish climber said he suffered a breach of contract after T-Mobile terminated it when his name appeared in the investigations made by the Spanish Civil Guardia. "I was not in agreement with which T-Mobile proposed to me because they said I was incapable of demonstrating my innocence," said Sevilla. Like other illustrious cyclists, also victims of the Operación Puerto, Sevilla is looking for, but not finding an opportunity for 2007. "I want to find a team that demonstrates fully its trust in me, and if it must be a Pro continental team, I will not consider it a disadvantage."
Cyclingnews' recent coverage of 'Operación Puerto' May 18, 2009 - Valverde to start Catalunya Cyclingnews' complete coverage of Operación Puerto Retired Dunlap teaches cyclocross skills to women
Retired two-time Olympian, World, and National mountain bike champion Alison Dunlap heads to Boston this weekend for a day of cyclocross skills training and a dinner to benefit the Breast Cancer Fund. Since retirement, Dunlap has shifted her focus to helping other women realize their potential as cyclists. For a lucky few, Dunlap will coach a cyclocross clinic at the Mass Hospital School in Canton. Later, she will host a fundraising dinner at the Mount Vernon restaurant in Somerville. The dinner coincides with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The last time Dunlap visited Boston in 2003, it was business as usual for the powerful pro, who took home the win at the annual Gloucester cyclocross race. The Canton Cup cyclocross race, to be held the day after Dunlap's visit, offers all a chance to put their cyclocross skills to the test. Pereiro, Sánchez and Beloki, in Vitoria CriteriumBy Antonio J. Salmerón Oscar Pereiro, possible winner of the last Tour de France pending the outcome of the Floyd Landis doping case, has confirmed his participation in the II Criterium de Vitoria, which will take place November 4th. The race also serves as the memorial "González de Heredia". Ex pro racer Alvaro González de Galdeano, the organizer of this cycling event, is also expecting the following riders to attend: Euskaltel-Euskadi racers Samuel Sanchez and Igor Antón, Saunier Duval's Antonio Berasategui, Javier Ruiz de Larrinaga, Ekaitz Durán, Astana's Unai Yus and Joseba Beloki, who was implicated by the Operación Puerto. 26 total cyclists will take part in the Basque criterium, including some riders from the Panaria, AG2R, and Discovery Channel teams. (All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2006) |
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