World championships news for October 6, 2000

Sevilla positive

The "physical problems" that prevented Oscar Sevilla from taking his place in the Spanish team for the World's have turned out to be of a stimulatory nature, after it was found he tested positive for caffeine. The test was taken at the GP Villafranca de Ordizia in July (won by Javier Otxoa) and Sevilla had more than the limit of 12 mg/L of caffeine his urine sample. His "B" sample, analysed on September 27, confirmed the result.

The Spanish Federation will investigate Sevilla and the Kelme rider is allowed to appeal the test. However, they did not want a potential doping scandal to affect the team at the World's, so they left him out. As yet, Sevilla has not been sanctioned until

There is no sanction at the moment, although he risks a suspension of 3 months as it is classed a "light" stimulant. Sevilla's argument is that he "drank two or three coffees" before the race and did not take anything.

His team manager, Joan Más, said that he did not win the "Galera Memorial or Trofeo Luis Ocaña for this reason," adding that they will support their rider in his appeal.

Kelme team director., Vicente Belda claims that "Sevilla is innocent," and the publication of this result was aimed at hurting the young rider. "If you have two coffees and you don't metabolise them well, you can give a positive test. Also, it was in a race that he did nothing and finished 22 minutes down."

Belda admitted that it was a bad way to finish the season, but it did not take away from all the good work that the team had accomplished. "I don't believe that because a ride tests positive from caffeine, he puts the whole team in doubt," he said.

Durand's big aim

Left out of the French team for the Olympics and the World's, Jacky Durand wanted to turn his energies to the Paris-Tours World Cup race on Sunday, that he won in 1998. He considers that this race, along with the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, holds the greatest potential for a win for him in a World Cup race. However, internal problems with Lotto led to his non-selection in that race, too.

Second in the French Championships this year, Durand considers himself "satisfied" although not overjoyed with the 2000 season. His form has not been finely tuned of late, but he is still motivated for the last few races. For next year, he is still with Lotto although he has been linked with Lampre.