The test was conducted by a professor of haematology at the request of prosecutors in Trento. Pantani is now serving a two week licence cancellation and must submit to a further test before he can get his licence back. This is in accord with UCI regulations.
While the high level does not prove that Pantani has been using EPO it is indicative and consistent with its use. All but three of the tests performed during the Giro this year were below 50 per cent and second testing has verified this finding.
The cycling world is now working through the implications of this latest shock. The directors of Mapei and Liquigas (ex-Brescialat) and a former professional have been summoned to the police headquarters in Florence on Tuesday to answer questions about events during the 1996 Giro. Readers will recall that the police attempted to trap the riders but were thwarted by an armada of team cars, allegedly carrying ice boxes full of drugs around an alternative route.
Pantani has said little since Saturday and is reflecting on the events. He said he was not sure if he would continue racing. It has been reported that since Saturday, around 300 new persons have joined his supporters' club called "Magico Pantani". Meanwhile, Senator Dino De Anna, who is the head of an inter-parliamentary committee for sports in Italy has said: "We are very suspicious. We think this affair is a plot against Pantani." You have to see this in perspective. Nearly all the professional cyclists are using drugs. There is a lot of money at stake. EPO lifts performance by around 30 per cent and all the world uses drugs. But only a 50 per cent level is verifiable. Perhaps Pantani took a very big dose."
The secretary of the Italian Cycling Federation, Marcello Standoli, said that a limit of 48 or 49 per cent would be good for young riders and amateurs. Pantani has the right to respect. But the rules are the rules and he was in breach of them. It is right that he was excluded."
Polti getting aggressive
Otherwise the TdF-bosses have to proove he used doping. When not: the lawyers will get a lot of work Team owner Franco Polti has said that his team will not start in the Tour de France without Richard Virenque. The French rider has been accused of doping but there have been no positive tests. Polti said: "There is a lot talk but no proof. Richard must ride the Tour. He is very good for the sport. If they stop him from riding then the Tour de France bosses are going to have to prove he has used drugs. If they fail to do that then our lawyers will be getting a lot of work."
1. Kurt Asle Arvesen (Nesset/Riso Scotti-Vinavil 5.46.35 2. Svein Gaute Hølestøl (Sandnes/Team Chicky World) 0.30 3. Frode Flesjå (Sandnes) 1.37 4. Stefan Repshus (Vestfold Elite) 2.21 5. Stig Sømme (Frøy) 2.39 6. Bjarte Vethe (Fana IL) 3.41 7. Even Klund (Vestfold Elite) 4.04 8. Are Andresen (Fana IL) 4.41 9. Øystein Dybing (Fana IL) 8.25 10. Oddbjørn Sørensen (Grenland) 9.44Thanks to Georg and Arild Reidarsen, Norway
GP Théo Mulheims Leudelange, 135.5 kms, Cat 1.6, June 5 1. Danny Van der Massen (Bel) 3.09.43 2. Max Becker (Lux) 3. Dariusz Malawka (Pol) 4. Stijn De Preuter (Bel) 5. Bart Vrancken (Bel) 6. Didier Dressen (Bel) 7. Enzo Mezzapesa (Lux) 8. Bas Goosens (Ned) 9. Andrei Dolguikh (Rus) 3.09.49 10. Robert Koppers (Ned) 3.11.34 11. E. Van der Auwera (Bel) 3.11.39 12. Vincenzo Centrone (Lux) 13. Lex Nederlof (Ned) 14. Steve Fogen (Lux) 15. Boris Odendahl (Ger) 3.12.15 16. Ferdi Van Katwijk (Ned) 3.12.25 17. Stéphane Auroux (Fra) 3.12.30 18. Sebsatian Mattozza (Bel) 3.12.32 19. Sébastien Laroche (Fra) 20. Roy Curvers (Ned) 3.12.34 Started: 86 GP Soluver Leudelange, 145.8 kms. Cat 1.6 1. Andrei Dolguikh (Rus) 3.38.59 2. Vincenzo Centrone (Lux) 3. Stijn De Peuter (Bel) 4. Christian Poos (Lux) 5. Sébastien Laroche (Fra) 6. Boris Odendahl (Ger) 3.39.04 7. Stijn Westrik (Ned) 3.39.06 8. Max Becker (Lux) 3.41.51 9. Lex Nederlof (Ned) 10. Danny Van der Massen (Bel) 11. E. Van der Auwera (Bel) 12. Enzo Mezzapesa (Lux) 13. Tom Flammang (Lux) 3.42.24 14. Robert Koppers (Ned) 3.42.26 15. Bas Goosens (Ned) 3.42.38 16. Ferdi Van Katwijk (Ned) 3.43.17 17. Takchiro Mizutani (Jap) 3.43.40 18. Dariusz Malawka (Pol) 19. Roy Konnisser (Ned) 20. Tim Heemskerk (Ned) Started: 88Gérard Schiltz, Luxembourg
The 1999 Pan American Championships mountain bike event is designated on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar as the continental championship for North America, South America and Central America.
The three men and two women comprising the U.S. team include Carl Swenson, Boulder, Colo., (Catera); Ben Scherrer, Bellingham, Wash., (Fisher U23); Jess Swiggers, Ramona, Calif. (Fisher U23); Rachel Lloyd, San Anselmo, Calif., (Gary Fisher-Saab) and Gretchen Reeves, Vail, Colo., (Catera).
In order to help secure start positions for the 2000 Olympic Games, USA Cycling is funding the national cross-country team for this event. The number of start positions each country receives for the 2000 Games is based on UCI rankings at the end of 1999.
The Pan American Championships offer major UCI points to both the athletes and their respective countries. Riders can boost their individual UCI world ranking, while the United States can earn valuable UCI points, which will help increase the number of start positions at the 2000 Games.
"The Pan American Championships is a good opportunity for athletes and the United States to score a lot of points at one event," said Sean Petty, USA Cycling's director of athlete development. "In addition to earning points, athletes also gain international experience and strengthen their competitive skills."
Petty commended the athletes for dedicating themselves to the event.
"Carl has stepped up to the plate for the men's race, and he and the Catera team should be applauded for their efforts. We appreciate the hard work all of the riders have put into this race. USA Cycling is confident they will represent the United States well."
Swenson and Reeves, Catera teammates, both began mountain bike racing in 1993 and have established themselves on the World Cup and national race scene. Lloyd, who is beginning her second season as a pro, is currently ranked third in the nation. Scherrer and Swiggers, resident-athletes at the U.S. Olympic Training Complex in Colorado Springs, Colo., competed at last year's Junior World Mountain Bike Championships as part of the U.S. team.
Reeves, who finished 11th overall in the '98 Chevy Trucks National Championship Series, said the Pan American Championships is one of the highlights of her career.
"To do an international race of this caliber is an awesome opportunity. I'm motivated to do well in Columbia in hopes that more doors will open up for me," Reeves said. "The competition is going to be tough, but I've stepped my training this year and hopefully it will pay off at this event."
The Pan American Championships is the first of four continental championship being held in 1999. Other dates and locations include Africa, Aug. 7-8, Pietermarizburg, South Africa; Asia, Sept. 25-26, Malacca City, Malaysia; and Oceania, Dec. 11, Sydney, Australia.