Kazakh rider Valentin Iglinskiy has landed himself in hot water with the news that he was arrested by French police for speeding and a reported positive roadside test for cocaine.
This week London Olympic chief , Seb Coe lumped all positive drug returns together. Recreational, and performance-enhancing doping all get same sanction? Lord Coe said “Let’s get real. What are the messages we are giving out here to young people? There is no ambiguity. If you want to be part of this project then don’t take drugs. Full stop.”
French radio station, RTL reported that Iglinskiy was stopped by French police on Tuesday evening on the A8 autoroute near Nice as result of doing 203km/h. This was almost 100km/h over the speed limit in that section. Compounding the gravity of the situation is the fact that police performed further analysis and it was determined that he was over the alcohol limit, having 64 milligrams of alcohol per litre of expired air. His blood alcohol reading was 1.28 grams per litre.
According to other reports, he also tested positive for cocaine although Europort.fr said tests for drugs was negative. Iglinskiy reportedly told police that he was traveling from a party at the home of Alexandre Vinokourov, the Astana leader who crashed out of the Tour de France.
Neither the Astana team nor Iglinskiy himself commented. Further confirmation is needed, particularly in relation to suggestions of a cocaine positive.
It is a drug which is banned in competition but not sanctionable in the sporting sense if it is used at other times. However Iglinskiy’s biggest headache may not be from the sporting authorities but rather those who concern themselves with judicial matters. His speed, degree of inebriation and possible substance abuse of all break laws and leave him open to punishment before the court.
Iglinskiy son stage 2 of this year’s Presidental Tour of Turkey.
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