UCI says world anti-doping org has it in for cycling; suspends links to WADA

WADA calls the leak an "untimely publication" and a "breach of protocols" and has released the full report (in French only) on its website "even though some parties involved, including the International Cycling Union (UCI), have not yet completed their review of the document."

The UCI is furious about the leak of the observers report to a French newspaper, calling it "unacceptable", and claiming the WADA "always take[s] cycling as privileged target."

Hein Verbruggen, the UCI president who is also a leading light on the International Olympic Committee, resigned from WADA in June.

He believes WADA is anti-cycling. The UCI and WADA are currently disputing the use of corticosteroids by by pro cyclists with a doctor’s prescription.

WADA doesn’t believe cycle sport is yet tough enough on dopers, pointing out that Igor Galdeano, who tested positive for the asthma drug salbutamol, in July’s Tour de France, would fail WADA’s tests even though he passed the UCI’s controls.

WADA’s report criticises the way pro cyclists are warned they are to be tested, up to 20 minutes ahead of sample taking in the case of a road race.

NB

It’s good news for Starbucks and Boots The Chemists – at a meeting yesterday, WADA removed caffeine and pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in over-the-counter cold remedies such as Sudafed, from the list of banned substances.

See the links below for previous BikeBiz.com stories on WADA and the Anti-doping code.

http://www.wada-ama.org/en/t1.asp

Here’s the UCI’s full – and flowery – full statement. Divulgation?:

DIVULGATION OF WADA’S INDEPENDENT OBSERVER’S REPORT :

THE UCI DENOUNCES AND DEMANDS AN INVESTIGATION :

The International Cycling Union has taken note with indignation of the divulgation to the press of WADA’s independent observer’s report before it had the chance to study it and amend certain inaccurate points contained in the document which is strictly confidential. The leak to the French press happens exactly the day before WADA’s Executive Meeting will pronounce itself on the list of banned substances, with a main discussion on which the UCI’s point of view is, as well as many others notably scientists, fundamentally opposed to the adopted position, notably, by France. Another article was moreover published in the same newspaper on this subject. The publication of a confidential project report harms badly the serenity of the discussion, some of which apparently want to avoid being based on rational and scientific arguments. The UCI observes once more that these information leaks are absolutely unacceptable, often originate from France, and always take cycling as privileged target. The UCI is not willing to tolerate similar situations anymore and requires WADA to open an official investigation in order to establish responsibilities in this matter. The UCI has taken good note of WADA’s apologies and requests that the investigation is maintained not only to explore the origin of the leak. The UCI would like to underline that its confidence in WADA’s system has been affected and that consequently no observer of this organization will be recognized in its functions in future cycling events.

This measure, which simply re-establishes fairness in cycling events and other major international competitions that are not submitted to WADA’s control rule, will remain in force until a definite and satisfying solution to the problem is found.