Liquigas rider Franco Pellizotti is the latest pro cyclist to be sanctioned under the findings of the biological passport system. The UCI had warned yesterday that several rider’s would be named with suspicious profiles over the coming days prior to the Tour of Italy which begins in Amsterdam this Saturday.
Pellizotti finished second overall in last years Giro and also won the climbers jersey in the Tour de France. Other notable results in what will now be a tarnished career were a 4th place overall in the 2008 Giro and 5th overall in the 2008 Paris-Nice. These current suspicions were apparently first realised when samples taken at last years Tour de France showed abnormalities. Last year Pelizotti and his teammate Vicenzo Nibali were accused of working with the Italian doctor Michele Ferrari. Both riders denied the link.
It appears the organisors of the Giro were seeking for more clarity prior to the start of their national tour this week. The Giro has been tarnished with doping controversy over recent years with several Italian riders and teams having the finger of suspicion pointed at them.
We must focus on riders who have an outspoken anti-doping standpoint and do the upmost to promote riders with clear integrity. It’s not the last bad news we’ll receive this week for our sport but it’s far better that the cheats who tarnish cycling, such as Pellizotti, are weeded out through their irregular results.
Comments
BikePure Italia 04.05.2010 at 09:23pm
Larpe, in taking EPO would have increased his natural endurance capabilities, enhanced his aerobic capacity during exercise and increased his muscle recovery rate. (CHEATING). In case no one told the 24 year old rider: the top 8 health reasons NOT to take EPO: death deep vein thrombosis heart attack hyperviscosity of the blood myocardial infarction pulmonary embolism stroke thrombosis
bikePure NY 04.05.2010 at 09:08pm
French pro Mickaël Larpe proved today that Pellizotti wont be alone destroying their sport this week. The Roubaix-Lille-Métropole rider who is only 24, faces a 2 year ban and charges of dealing drugs to fellow athletes . Just weary. Honor or dope. Honesty or 6am panic. Time my fellow bikers to stand up and say no.
francois Culeu 04.05.2010 at 06:41pm
Guy was climbing with his mouth closed. If the professional riders are not anti doping- I am taking it that they are now cheating!
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