Blood Test NewsThe International Cyclist Union (UCI) keeps the rider's blood for scientific purposes (Madrid) - The UCI has added more fuel to the fire of the controversial and contested blood analysis to the riders. In a new ruling about the blood samples of the riders with a hematocrit level equal or above 50% -to which their license is revoked for a minimum period of 15 days- said samples will remain in the possesion of the UCI which will be able to utilize it for investigations about the health of the cyclists.Although the UCI assures that the investigation will be completely anonymous, cyclists in the peloton are not happy with it. "Why do they belong to the UCI" , asks Laguia, President of the rider's union. "Who guarantees the confidentiality, when the analysis are run by a private company?" At the same time, the UCI itself has admitted mistakes on the protocol for the blood samples. They have planned meetings to prefect it, but meanwhile continues to apply it. The COI considers them not applicable to the Olympic Games because they are discriminatory and against the religious beliefs of many athletes. Plus they could be liable to the courts. Preview from Spanish PapersThe 88th edition of Milano-San Remo, which will contested tomorrow over 294 kms. begins the ninth edition of the World Cup which includes ten races. The major difficulties of the race are the many kilometers, 294 -longest in the World Cup- and the mythical climbs of Tuchino, Mele, Cervo, Berta, Cipressa and Poggio at a short distance from the finish and which most of the times determine the race outcome.In terms of previous winners, the clear leader is Belgian Eddy Merckx with seven victories, followed by Italian Constante Girardengo with six, Italian Gino Bartali with four, with three, Belgian De Vlaeminck and Italian Fausto Coppi and a longer list with two wins. |