The bio passport survives

Franco Pellizotti had more than a bad hair day yesterday. The Italian rider, nicknamed il delfino, the Dolphin, got a two year ban plus his results from May 2009 onwards were annulled. His podium place in the 2009 Giro and the Tour de France King of the Mountains title are now erased from the record … Read more

Duvet Days

A cycling fan might be forgiven for wanting to stay in bed. News of the ongoing saga of Contador’s case isn’t too cheerful. First, up rather than an orderly hearing by the Spanish authorities it’s only taken hours for Juan Carlos CastaƱo, President of the RFEC, to publically say he’s got Contador’s back, he’s known … Read more

Quick comment on Pellizotti and the biopassport

In the last hour Franco Pellizotti has been cleared to ride by the Italian Olympic commission. It ruled that his bio passport presents insufficient information to secure a ban. The indication is that whilst the passport may suspicious variations in blood values, this is not conclusive proof of doping. The UCI thought they had him … Read more

Gotcha!

So Franco Pellizotti’s now out of the Giro. The rumour mill went into overdrive today and within no time Pellizotti’s name came out. A shame but many will shrug and go “I suppose so“, it’s as if anyone at the top of the sport almost has to be up to no good unless they make … Read more