News for August 9, 200045 percent "positive"Despite the press release by the UCI last week that all the drug tests in the Tour de France were negative, there was a totally different report given today by the French Council for Prevention of Drug Use (CPLD). "Analyses of samples at the national laboratory at Chatenay-Malabray revealed the presence of doping products in 45 percent of the urine tests," said Michel Boyon, president of the council. The CPLD assessment was the "first assessment of the antidoping controls" of the 2000 Tour under the new French regulations. Of 96 tests carried out on 71 riders, 28 tests were positive for corticosteroids and 10 tests were positive for salbutamol and terbutaline (stimulants which help breathing). In addition five tests were positive for both drugs. During the first 15 stages, four tests were conducted on each stage (the winner, the yellow jersey wearer, and two others), and a further 12 tests were conducted between the 16th and the 20th stage. Furthermore, six of the samples could not be analysed due to defects in the testing procedure. These substances are permitted by the UCI provided the rider has a medical certificate authorising their use, however are there some liberties being taken? Corticoids are well known for their recovery powers (they allow riders to relieve stress and reduce pain), and have been used and abused in sports for decades. Salbutamol and terbutaline are used by asthma sufferers to relax breathing channels, and are quite potent stimulants if used in larger than normal doses. There is some evidence (animal studies) suggesting that beta-2 agonists such as Salbutamol and Clenbuterol are potential anabolic aids, but no studies have been carried out on athletes. The findings have been forwarded to the French Cycling Federation for further analyses. FFC president, Daniel Baal said that there were "a worrying number of cases", and they will determine which cyclists had permission to use the substances according to their medical certificates. They will make sure that all the French riders conformed to the French legislation, while examining the cases of the foreign riders individually. One rider (not in the top part of the general classification) has already had disciplinary procedures instigated against him, and risks a three year suspension unless he can prove that the substances he took were for "therapeutic reasons only". The case will take another 15 days to examine, and the rider will likely appear before the French disciplinary commission in one month. French sport minister, Marie George Buffet has asked for an immediate enquiry to be made into the findings, and was disturbed by the fact that such a high percentage of sportsmen sought recourse to such 'therapeutic' means to continue their activity. She said that "disciplinary measures will have to be taken and carried out to their fullest extent," and that this report "reinforces the need for continuing action to be taken against doping." Tour de France director, Jean-Marie Leblanc played down the report, warning against "premature interpretation." He stressed that the CPLD report was incomplete, because it didn't take into account the UCI regulations that allow riders to use certain substances with permission. "We will calmly rely on the decisions and, if necessary, the sanctions which the UCI or the FFC may impose if there are proven cases of doping during the Tour 2000," said Leblanc. The UCI reacted by saying that "care should be taken not to create the impression of a doping case simply by showing the presence of doping products in urine samples." Furthermore they "deplored the lack of precision in the wording of the CPLD statement, as there is a fundamental distinction between prohibited substances and those authorized with certain restrictions". The UCI's analogy was that "the highlighting of a substance appearing on the list of products subjected to certain restrictions does not necessarily constitute positive case, in the same way that a certain alcohol concentration in the blood does not constitute an offence against the highway code if the tolerated limit is not exceeded". 45 percent of surveyed athletes agreed.
Dutch selectionNational coach Gerrie Knetemann today finalised the five man Dutch men's road team selection for the Olympic Games next month. Erik Dekker and Leon Van Bon (Rabobank), Max Van Heeswijk (Mapei),Tristan Hoffman (Memorycard-Jack&Jones) and Koos Moerenhout (Farm Frites) are the men going to Sydney. "Triple" Dekker will ride the time trial while the other rider will be selected after the Dutch championship on August 16. Notable absences include Servais Knaven and Jeroen Blijlevens. The latter was informed on Monday of his non-selection and was quite angry: "That is not the way you treat people. He promised me other things and I'm very disappointed. This parcours was beautiful for me. It's okay for sprinters - Erik Zabel was selected for the German team," said Blijlevens. However, Gerrie Knetemann is not expecting a mass sprint in Sydney, which is why Blijlevens is staying at home. Inspired by Erik Dekker in the Tour de France, Knetemann will follow attacking tactics. In this case, there is no place for Blijlevens and Knaven. "We won't start with a protected leader. Everybody will have his own chance. It's nearly impossible to control a race with a team of five riders, so I think that this is the best way to get a medal. Attacking is in our nature, so we have to use it. We saw it in France with Erik Dekker." The remainder of the Dutch squad is as follows, while the various countries' complete team selections (to date) can be viewed here. Road Leon van Bon (Rabobank) Mountain Bike Bart Brentjens (Subaru-Specialized) Track Wilco Zuijderwijk (Axa Cycling Team) Furthermore, the Dutch have selected their team for the European MTB Championships in Rhenen (Aug 19-20): Men: Bart Brentjens, Bas van Dooren, Patrick Tolhoek, Roger Smeets, Bas Peters, Ruud van Mil, Gerben de Knegt, Micha de Vries, Jan Weevers, Ralph van Heugten, Atze Dijkhuis, Maarten Tjallingii. Espoirs: Thijs Al, Erwin Bakker, Vincent van Aalst, Diederik Bakker, Rob Reuvers, Joost Posthuma, Ruud Pronk. Juniors: Mathijs Wagenaar, Reijer den Hertogh, Paul van Holst, Jelmer Pietersma, Roy van Heeswijk, Ton Braam, Mark Reker, Rick Evers. Women: Corine Dorland, Elsbeth Vink, Tessa Sollaart, Annemiek van Loon, Renate van Gerwen, Laura Turpijn en Marlies Rotteveel. Juniors: Siddhi Stans.
Watt to appealKathy Watt will take her case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, after she was one of four Australian cyclists to unsuccessfully appeal to the Independent Tribunal with regard to selection in the Australian team. This is a repeat of 1996, where Watt failed to win against the tribunal, but was successful in the Court of Arbitration, eventually being allowed to contest the individual pursuit in Atlanta. The Court of Arbitration is the highest level that athletes can take their cases to, should they not be satisfied with the findings of the tribunal. Although the other three athletes (Dawson, Wooldridge and Sunderland) indicated that they would like to take things further, the cost was too great. Traksel to professionalsBobbie Traksel (18) will ride as a stagiaire with the professional team, Rabobank in September. He started Frans Maassen's junior team in 1998, before progressing to amateur team of Nico Verhoeven this year. His debut in the professional scene will probably be on September 2 in the Ronde van Midden-Zeeland.
Telefónica main sponsor of VueltaLa Vuelta a España, organised by Unipublic, will again have Telefónica as its main sponsor after a successful partnership last year. The company will have the name on the golden leader's jersey each day, the most prominent of positions. The company will also sponsor a traveling cycling museum, exhibiting memorabilia and items related to cycling and its history from around the world. Telefónica is a major Spanish telecommunications company, specialising in cellular phone cover in otherwise remote places. Tandem Records smashed by remarkable duoOne of the many highlights the British National Track Cycling Championships in Manchester was a unique record-breaking feat by a cycling duo who will be representing Great Britain at the Paralympics in Sydney. Tandem pairing of Andy Slater (able-bodied pilot) and Rob Allen (blind partner) broke both the British able-bodied record and the world Paralympic record for the 1000m Time Trial, in a stunning ride which also knocked two seconds off their personal best time. In recording 1 minute 5.7 seconds for the distance, they sliced over half a second off the Paralympic World Record of 1 min 6.22 seconds and a massive 1.6 seconds off the National able-bodied record of 1 min 7.3 seconds. This is thought to be the first instance of a Paralympic athlete breaking a National able-bodied record and represents a remarkable achievement for Andy and Rob, who are both part of cycling's Lottery funded World Class Performance Programme. Rob Allen related it as follows: "We had done a 1 minute 6.6 in training, so we knew we had a good chance of the British record. However, Andy had already done six sprints that day in the Open Sprint competition, where incidentally he picked up a bronze, so I wasn't sure what to expect from him. I was also pretty stressed and tired having travelled alone up that day from my home in Hampshire." "As we crossed the line I heard someone shout "five" and we thought they meant 1 minute six point five, which we were delighted with. When we came round next lap and we had slowed enough to hear the correct time we were flabbergasted - it was just phenomenal. Everyone was congratulating us and coming up to shake our hands and talk to us. I've never experienced anything like it." Rob and Andy have made massive strides this year, something Rob puts down to changes made to the Paralympic training regime earlier this year" "Last year we trained separately from the able-bodied World Class Performance Programme riders. This year, Performance Director Peter Keen has integrated us into the full squad. We now benefit from the best coaching, the best management and the best organisation, from Track Manager Steve Paulding downwards." "Track Sprint coach Martin Barras has worked closely with us and particularly emphasised our off the bike training. I was squatting 40 kilos back in May. I'm now squatting 110 kilos." "But it's not just the coaching that's better. As a blind athlete I find training and travelling very difficult to organise and very stressful. Steve Paulding has gone out of his way to do everything possible to make things easier for me: simple things like making sure that I have the same room in the same hotel when I travel up to Manchester, so that I can get used to the layout. He has effectively reduced the effects of being blind. Having someone to worry about things on my behalf has made a big difference. I'm also getting a week's training in Manchester every month, which is a huge step forward." Rob and Andy are now concentrating their efforts on the build-up to the Paralympics in Sydney, where they will clearly start as one of the favourites in the Tandem Kilo. |